— torpedolike , adj.
/tawr pee"doh/ , n. , pl. torpedoes , v. , torpedoed, torpedoing .
n.
1. a self-propelled, cigar-shaped missile containing explosives and often equipped with a homing device, launched from a submarine or other warship, for destroying surface vessels or other submarines.
2. any of various submarine explosive devices for destroying hostile ships, as a mine.
3. a cartridge of gunpowder, dynamite, or the like, exploded in an oil well to facilitate the extraction of oil from the well.
4. a detonating device fastened to the top of a rail so as to be exploded by the pressure of a locomotive or car, thus giving an audible signal to members of a train crew.
5. any of various other explosive devices, as a firework that consists of an explosive wrapped up with gravel in a piece of tissue paper and that detonates when thrown forcibly on the ground or against a hard surface.
6. Also called torpedo fish . an electric ray, esp. Torpedo nobiliana, of the Atlantic Ocean.
7. an electric catfish, Malapterurus electricus, inhabiting waters of tropical central Africa and the Nile valley.
8. Informal. a hero sandwich.
9. Slang. a gangster hired as a murderer.
v.t.
10. to attack, hit, damage, or destroy with torpedoes.
11. to explode a torpedo in (an oil well) to facilitate the extraction of oil.
12. to undermine, ruin, or destroy: He torpedoed our plans.
v.i.
13. to attack, damage, or sink a ship with torpedoes.
[ 1510-20; torpedo numbness, torpidity, electric ray, equiv. to torpe ( re ) to be stiff (see TORPID 1 ) + -do n. suffix ]
Regional Variation. 8. See hero sandwich .