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torpedoesmore about torpedoes

torpedoes

 

  1  definition  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Torpedo  \Tor*pe"do\,  n.;  pl  {Torpedoes}.  [L.  torpedo,  -inis, 
  from  torpere  to  be  stiff,  numb,  or  torpid.  See  {Torpid}.] 
  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}. 
 
  Note:  The  common  European  torpedo  ({T.  vulgaris})  and  the 
  American  species  ({T.  occidentalis})  are  the  best 
  known 
 
  2.  An  engine  or  machine  for  destroying  ships  by  blowing  them 
  up  Specifically: 
  a  A  quantity  of  explosives  anchored  in  a  channel, 
  beneath  the  water,  or  set  adrift  in  a  current,  and  so 
  arranged  that  they  will  be  exploded  when  touched  by  a 
  vessel,  or  when  an  electric  circuit  is  closed  by  an 
  operator  on  shore. 
  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. 
 
  3.  (Mil.)  A  kind  of  shell  or  cartridge  buried  in  earth,  to  be 
  exploded  by  electricity  or  by  stepping  on  it 
 
  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. 
 
  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. 
 
  6.  A  kind  of  firework  in  the  form  of  a  small  ball,  or  pellet, 
  which  explodes  when  thrown  upon  a  hard  object. 
 
  {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.




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