tɔ:ˈpi:dəu n. & v. --n. (pl. -oes) 1 a a cigar-shaped
self-propelled underwater missile that explodes on
impact with a
ship. b (in full
aerial torpedo) a
similar device dropped
from an
aircraft. 2 Zool. an
electric ray. 3 US an
explosive device or
firework. --v.tr. (-oes, -oed) 1
destroy or
attack with a torpedo. 2
make (a policy,
institution,
plan, etc.)
ineffective or
inoperative; destroy. øtorpedo-boat a
small fast
lightly armed
warship for carrying or discharging torpedoes. torpedo-net (or -netting)
netting of
steel wire hung round a ship to
intercept torpedoes. torpedo-tube a
tube from
which torpedoes are fired. øøtorpedo-like adj. [L, = numbness, electric ray f. torpere be numb]