Main Entry:

¹tor·pe·do

Pronunciation:

\tȯr-ˈpē-(ˌ)dō\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural tor·pe·does

Etymology:

Latin, literally, stiffness, numbness, from torpēre to be sluggish or numb — more at torpid

Date:

circa 1520

1: electric ray2: a weapon for destroying ships by rupturing their hulls below the waterline: as a: a submarine mine b: a thin cylindrical self-propelled underwater projectile 3: a small firework that explodes when thrown against a hard object4: a professional gunman or assassin5: submarine 2