I. “+ adjective
Etymology: sub- + marine
1. : being, acting, growing, or used under water and especially in the sea
submarine boats
submarine plants
2. : suggestive of the undersea world
an illusive submarine glimmer
II. noun
( -s )
1. : a submarine organism (as a plant or coral)
2. : something (as an explosive mine) designed to function underwater ; specifically : a submersible ship armed with torpedoes, guns, and guided missiles and propelled by diesel engines, electric motors, or nuclear-powered steam turbines that operates below the surface of the sea — compare torpedo boat
III. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: submarine (II)
transitive verb
: to make an attack upon or to sink by means of a submarine and especially by torpedoing
intransitive verb
1. : to be, move, or function beneath the sea: as
a. : to handle a submarine
b. : to swim or dive underwater
2. of a defensive lineman in football : to throw the head and shoulders beneath the knees of two opposing players and then draw the feet up so that the opponents slide over the back
IV. intransitive verb
: to dive or slide under something
the danger of submarining under a seat belt in a crash