Webster's English Dictionary

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torpedo

1. tor.pe.do \to.r-'pe-d-(.)o-\ n or torpedoes [L, lit., stiffness, 
   numbness, fr. torpe-re to be stiff or numb] pl  1: ELECTRIC RAY  2: an 
   engine or machine for destroying ships by blowing them up : as  2a: a 
   submarine mine  2b: a dirigible self-propelling cigar-shaped submarine 
   projectile filled wi th an explosive charge that is projected from a ship 
   often designed for the purpose against another at a distance 3a: a charge 
   of explosive enclosed in a container or case  3b: a small firework that 
   explodes when thrown against a hard object  4: a professional gunman or 
   assassin 
2. torpedo \-'pe-d-*-win\ vt or tor.pe.do.ing 1: to hit or sink (a ship) 
   with a naval torpedo : strike or destroy by t orpedo 2: to destroy or 
   nullify altogether : WRECK {~ a plan}