marine mine

marine mine
Torpedo Tor*pe"do, n.; pl. {Torpedoes}. [L. torpedo, -inis, from torpere to be stiff, numb, or torpid. See {Torpid}.] [1913 Webster] 1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of elasmobranch fishes belonging to {Torpedo} and allied genera. They are related to the rays, but have the power of giving electrical shocks. Called also {crampfish}, and {numbfish}. See {Electrical fish}, under {Electrical}. [1913 Webster]

Note: The common European torpedo ({Torpedo vulgaris}) and the American species ({Torpedo occidentalis}) are the best known. [1913 Webster]

2. An engine or machine for destroying ships by blowing them up; a mine[4]. Specifically: [1913 Webster +PJC] (a) A quantity of explosives anchored in a channel, beneath the water, or set adrift in a current, and so designed that they will explode when touched or approached by a vessel, or when an electric circuit is closed by an operator on shore; now called {marine mine}. [obsolete] [1913 Webster +PJC]

Damn the torpedoes -- full speed ahead! --Adm. David Glasgow Farragut (At the battle of Mobile Bay, 1864). (b) A kind of small submarine boat carrying an explosive charge, and projected from a ship against another ship at a distance, or made self-propelling, and otherwise automatic in its action against a distant ship. [1913 Webster]

3. (Mil.) A kind of shell or cartridge buried in earth, to be exploded by electricity or by stepping on it; now called {land mine}. [obsolete] [1913 Webster +PJC]

4. (Railroad) A kind of detonating cartridge or shell placed on a rail, and exploded when crushed under the locomotive wheels, -- used as an alarm signal. [1913 Webster]

5. An explosive cartridge or shell lowered or dropped into a bored oil well, and there exploded, to clear the well of obstructions or to open communication with a source of supply of oil. [1913 Webster]

6. A kind of firework in the form of a small ball, or pellet, which explodes when thrown upon a hard object. [1913 Webster]

7. An automobile with a {torpedo body}. [Archaic Cant] [Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]

{Fish torpedo}, a spindle-shaped, or fish-shaped, self-propelling submarine torpedo.

{Spar torpedo}, a canister or other vessel containing an explosive charge, and attached to the end of a long spar which projects from a ship or boat and is thrust against an enemy's ship, exploding the torpedo.

{Torpedo boat}, a vessel adapted for carrying, launching, operating, or otherwise making use of, torpedoes against an enemy's ship., especially, a small, fast boat with tubes for launching torpedoes.

{Torpedo nettings}, nettings made of chains or bars, which can be suspended around a vessel and allowed to sink beneath the surface of the water, as a protection against torpedoes. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • marine mine — ma*rine mine , n. (Mil.) A military explosive device designed to be placed on or under the surface of a body of water, and to explode when ships pass nearby or come in contact with it. Its function is to destroy enemy ships or deny hostile naval… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • marine mine — noun an explosive mine designed to destroy ships that bump into it • Syn: ↑floating mine • Hypernyms: ↑mine • Hyponyms: ↑magnetic mine …   Useful english dictionary

  • Mine Marine — Mine à contact « Jacobi » d origine russe utilisée lors de la guerre de Crimée. Ce modèle, d une très faible efficacité, provoqua plus d inquiétude que de dégâts. Image tiré de L Illustration, n° 646, juillet 1855. Une mine marine ou… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Mine sous-marine — Mine marine Mine à contact « Jacobi » d origine russe utilisée lors de la guerre de Crimée. Ce modèle, d une très faible efficacité, provoqua plus d inquiétude que de dégâts. Image tiré de L Illustration, n° 646, juillet 1855. Une mine… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Mine maritime — Mine marine Mine à contact « Jacobi » d origine russe utilisée lors de la guerre de Crimée. Ce modèle, d une très faible efficacité, provoqua plus d inquiétude que de dégâts. Image tiré de L Illustration, n° 646, juillet 1855. Une mine… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Mine navale — Mine marine Mine à contact « Jacobi » d origine russe utilisée lors de la guerre de Crimée. Ce modèle, d une très faible efficacité, provoqua plus d inquiétude que de dégâts. Image tiré de L Illustration, n° 646, juillet 1855. Une mine… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Mine — Mine, n. [F., fr. LL. mina. See {Mine}, v. i.] [1913 Webster] 1. A subterranean cavity or passage; especially: (a) A pit or excavation in the earth, from which metallic ores, precious stones, coal, or other mineral substances are taken by… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Mine dial — Mine Mine, n. [F., fr. LL. mina. See {Mine}, v. i.] [1913 Webster] 1. A subterranean cavity or passage; especially: (a) A pit or excavation in the earth, from which metallic ores, precious stones, coal, or other mineral substances are taken by… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Mine pig — Mine Mine, n. [F., fr. LL. mina. See {Mine}, v. i.] [1913 Webster] 1. A subterranean cavity or passage; especially: (a) A pit or excavation in the earth, from which metallic ores, precious stones, coal, or other mineral substances are taken by… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Marine — Cet article traite de ce qui se rapporte à l océan et au monde maritime. Pour les autres domaines, voir Marine (homonymie)  Terme général Sur les autres projets Wikimedia : « marin », sur le Wiktionnaire (dictionnaire… …   Wikipédia en Français

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