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. torpedo-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. torpedo-like adj.
[ L, = numbness, electric ray f. torpere be numb ]