Found 2 items, similar to torpedo.
English → English (WordNet) Definition: torpedo torpedo v : attack or hit with torpedoes [also: torpedoes (pl)] torpedo n 1: a professional killer who uses a gun [syn: gunman, gunslinger, hired gun, gun, gun for hire, triggerman, hit man , hitman, shooter] 2: a large sandwich made of a long crusty roll split lengthwise and filled with meats and cheese (and tomato and onion and lettuce and condiments); different names are used in different sections of the United States [syn: bomber, grinder, hero, hero sandwich, hoagie, hoagy, Cuban sandwich , Italian sandwich, poor boy, sub, submarine, submarine sandwich, wedge, zep] 3: an explosive device that is set off in an oil well (or a gas well) to start or to increase the flow of oil (or gas) 4: a small firework that consists of a percussion cap and some gravel wrapped in paper; explodes when thrown forcefully against a hard surface 5: a small explosive device that is placed on a railroad track and fires when a train runs over it; the sound of the explosion warns the engineer of danger ahead 6: armament consisting of a long cylindrical self-propelled underwater projectile that detonates on contact with a target 7: any sluggish bottom-dwelling ray of the order Torpediniformes having a rounded body and electric organs on each side of the head capable of emitting strong electric discharges [syn: electric ray, crampfish, numbfish] [also: torpedoes (pl)]
English → English (gcide) Definition: torpedo 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 forces access to certain areas of the sea, usually near the shoreline. Also called underwater mine and floating mine, and previously referred to as a torpedo (See torpedo[2] (a) ). [PJC] 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 digging; -- distinguished from the pits from which stones for architectural purposes are taken, and which are called quarries. (b) (Mil.) A cavity or tunnel made under a fortification or other work, for the purpose of blowing up the superstructure with some explosive agent. [1913 Webster] 2. Any place where ore, metals, or precious stones are got by digging or washing the soil; as, a placer mine. [1913 Webster] 3. (Fig.): A rich source of wealth or other good. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 4. (Mil.) An explosive device placed concealed in a location, on land or at sea, where an enemy vehicle or enemy personnel may pass through, having a triggering mechanism which detects people or vehicles, and which will explode and kill or maim personnel or destroy or damage vehicles. A mine placed at sea (formerly called a torpedo, see torpedo[2] (a) ) is also called an marine mine and underwater mine and sometimes called a floating mine, even though it may be anchored to the floor of the sea and not actually float freely. A mine placed on land (formerly called a torpedo, see torpedo[3]), usually buried, is called a land mine. [PJC] Mine dial, a form of magnetic compass used by miners. Mine pig, pig iron made wholly from ore; in distinction from cinder pig, which is made from ore mixed with forge or mill cinder. gold mine (a) a mine where gold is obtained. (b) (Fig.) a rich source of wealth or other good; same as Mine 3. --Raymond. [1913 Webster] 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 digging; -- distinguished from the pits from which stones for architectural purposes are taken, and which are called quarries. (b) (Mil.) A cavity or tunnel made under a fortification or other work, for the purpose of blowing up the superstructure with some explosive agent. [1913 Webster] 2. Any place where ore, metals, or precious stones are got by digging or washing the soil; as, a placer mine. [1913 Webster] 3. (Fig.): A rich source of wealth or other good. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 4. (Mil.) An explosive device placed concealed in a location, on land or at sea, where an enemy vehicle or enemy personnel may pass through, having a triggering mechanism which detects people or vehicles, and which will explode and kill or maim personnel or destroy or damage vehicles. A mine placed at sea (formerly called a torpedo, see torpedo[2] (a) ) is also called an marine mine and underwater mine and sometimes called a floating mine, even though it may be anchored to the floor of the sea and not actually float freely. A mine placed on land (formerly called a torpedo, see torpedo[3]), usually buried, is called a land mine. [PJC] Mine dial, a form of magnetic compass used by miners. Mine pig, pig iron made wholly from ore; in distinction from cinder pig, which is made from ore mixed with forge or mill cinder. gold mine (a) a mine where gold is obtained. (b) (Fig.) a rich source of wealth or other good; same as Mine 3. --Raymond. [1913 Webster] Electric \E*lec"tric\ ([-e]*l[e^]k"tr[i^]k), Electrical \E*lec"tric*al\ ([-e]*l[e^]k"tr[i^]*kal), a. [L. electrum amber, a mixed metal, Gr. 'h`lektron; akin to 'hle`ktwr the beaming sun, cf. Skr. arc to beam, shine: cf. F. ['e]lectrique. The name came from the production of electricity by the friction of amber.] 1. Pertaining to electricity; consisting of, containing, derived from, or produced by, electricity; as, electric power or virtue; an electric jar; electric effects; an electric spark; an electric charge; an electric current; an electrical engineer. [1913 Webster] 2. Capable of occasioning the phenomena of electricity; as, an electric or electrical machine or substance; an electric generator. [1913 Webster] 3. Electrifying; thrilling; magnetic. “Electric Pindar.” --Mrs. Browning. [1913 Webster] 4. powered by electricity; as, electrical appliances; an electric toothbrush; an electric automobile. [WordNet 1.5] Electric atmosphere, or Electric aura. See under Aura. Electrical battery. See Battery. Electrical brush. See under Brush. Electric cable. See Telegraph cable, under Telegraph. Electric candle. See under Candle. Electric cat (Zo["o]l.), one of three or more large species of African catfish of the genus Malapterurus (esp. M. electricus of the Nile). They have a large electrical organ and are able to give powerful shocks; -- called also sheathfish. Electric clock. See under Clock, and see Electro-chronograph. Electric current, a current or stream of electricity traversing a closed circuit formed of conducting substances, or passing by means of conductors from one body to another which is in a different electrical state. Electric eel, or Electrical eel (Zo["o]l.), a South American eel-like fresh-water fish of the genus Gymnotus (G. electricus), from two to five feet in length, capable of giving a violent electric shock. See Gymnotus. Electrical fish (Zo["o]l.), any fish which has an electrical organ by means of which it can give an electrical shock. The best known kinds are the torpedo, the gymnotus, or electrical eel, and the electric cat . See Torpedo, and Gymnotus. Electric fluid, the supposed matter of electricity; lightning. [archaic] Electrical image (Elec.), a collection of electrical points regarded as forming, by an analogy with optical phenomena, an image of certain other electrical points, and used in the solution of electrical problems. --Sir W. Thomson. Electric machine, or Electrical machine, an apparatus for generating, collecting, or exciting, electricity, as by friction. Electric motor. See Electro-motor, 2. Electric osmose. (Physics) See under Osmose. Electric pen, a hand pen for making perforated stencils for multiplying writings. It has a puncturing needle driven at great speed by a very small magneto-electric engine on the penhandle. Electric railway, a railway in which the machinery for moving the cars is driven by an electric current. Electric ray (Zo["o]l.), the torpedo. Electric telegraph. See Telegraph. [1913 Webster] hit man \hit man\ n. 1. A professional murderer, esp. one working for a criminal organization; also called torpedo. [Colloq.] [PJC] 2. A slanderer working for political purposes to damage the reputation of an opponent; a hatchet man. [PJC]