torpedo

noun (plural torpedoes)

• 1a cigar-shaped self-propelled underwater missile designed to be fired from a ship or submarine or dropped into the water from an aircraft and to explode on reaching a target.
• a signal placed on a railroad track, exploding as the train passes over it.
• a firework exploding on impact with a hard surface.
• informal a submarine sandwich.
• informal a gangster hired to commit a murder or other violent act.
• an explosive device lowered into oil wells to clear obstructions.

• 2 (also torpedo ray) an electric ray.

verb (torpedoes, torpedoing, torpedoed)

• attack or sink (a ship) with a torpedo or torpedoes.
• destroy or ruin (a plan or project):fighting between the militias torpedoed peace talks