torpedonoun/ˌtɔː(ɹ)ˈpiː.dəʊ/

• 1

  biologynatural-scienceszoologyAn electric ray of the genus Torpedo.

  • Faire Queene, forbeare to angle for the fiſh, / Which being caught, ſtrikes him that takes it dead, / I meane that vile Torpedo, Gaueſton, / That now I hope flotes on the Iriſh Seas
  • The man has been changed into an artificial monster by the station in which he is born, and the consequent homage that benumbed his faculties like the torpedo's touch […].
• 2

  governmentmilitarypoliticsA cylindrical explosive projectile that can travel quickly underwater and is used as a weapon.

  • I stood rigid, spellbound, watching the white wake of the torpedo. It struck us on the starboard side almost amidships. The vessel rocked as though the sea beneath it had been uptorn by a mighty volcano.
  • Four Japanese torpedo boats launch an attack on the Suvorov. Despite burning steadily for several hours and now taking a torpedo to the stern, the ship still lashes out at its attackers with a few remaining guns. With no pressing need to continue the attack to closer range, the torpedo boats fall back, noting the position for a night attack if Suvorov survives that long.
• 3

  governmentliteraturemediaA cylindrical explosive projectile that can travel quickly underwater and is used as a weapon.

• 4

  archaicgovernmentmilitarypoliticsA naval mine.

• 5

  obsoletegovernmentmilitarypoliticsAn explosive device buried underground, to destroy fortifications, troops, or cavalry.

• 6

  Synonym of submarine sandwich.

• 7

  slangA professional gunman or assassin.

• 8

  rail-transportrailwaystransportA small explosive device attached to the top of the rail to provide an audible warning when a train passes over it.

torpedoverb/ˌtɔː(ɹ)ˈpiː.dəʊ/

• 1

  To strike (a ship) with one or more torpedoes.

• 2

  To sink (a ship) with one or more torpedoes.

  • The anti-German riots which erupted simultaneously in many countries in response to the torpedoing of the Lusitania by a German U-boat in 1915 reflected shifts in the status of minorities in multi-ethnic societies at a time of escalating nationalist emotions.
• 3

  To undermine or destroy any endeavor with a powerful attack.

  • The left-back had been a selection concern because of an injury niggle but his first goal since last March swung this derby decisively in United’s favour, extending their club record unbeaten run away from home in the Premier League to 22 games and torpedoing City’s sequence of 21 straight wins in all competitions.
  • The Toronto-based company[…] promised a certain fantasy, particularly aimed at men: a list of women ready and willing to have an affair; a secret good time outside the bounds of one’s partnership; self-proclaimed extensive security measures to prevent torpedoing one’s domestic life.