\Tor*pe"do\, n.
An automobile with a torpedo body. [Cant]

\Tor*pe"do\, n.; pl. {Torpedoes}. [L. torpedo, -inis,
from torpere to be stiff, numb, or torpid. See {Torpid}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of elasmobranch
   fishes belonging to {Torpedo} and allied genera. They are
   related to the rays, but have the power of giving
   electrical shocks. Called also {crampfish}, and
   {numbfish}. See {Electrical fish}, under {Electrical}.
Note: The common European torpedo ({T. vulgaris}) and the
      American species ({T. occidentalis}) are the best
      known.
2. An engine or machine for destroying ships by blowing them
   up. Specifically:
   (a) A quantity of explosives anchored in a channel,
       beneath the water, or set adrift in a current, and so
       arranged that they will be exploded when touched by a
       vessel, or when an electric circuit is closed by an
       operator on shore.
   (b) A kind of small submarine boat carrying an explosive
       charge, and projected from a ship against another ship
       at a distance, or made self-propelling, and otherwise
       automatic in its action against a distant ship.
3. (Mil.) A kind of shell or cartridge buried in earth, to be
   exploded by electricity or by stepping on it.
4. (Railroad) A kind of detonating cartridge or shell placed
   on a rail, and exploded when crushed under the locomotive
   wheels, -- used as an alarm signal.
5. An explosive cartridge or shell lowered or dropped into a
   bored oil well, and there exploded, to clear the well of
   obstructions or to open communication with a source of
   supply of oil.
6. A kind of firework in the form of a small ball, or pellet,
   which explodes when thrown upon a hard object.
{Fish torpedo}, a spindle-shaped, or fish-shaped,
   self-propelling submarine torpedo.
{Spar torpedo}, a canister or other vessel containing an
   explosive charge, and attached to the end of a long spar
   which projects from a ship or boat and is thrust against
   an enemy's ship, exploding the torpedo.
{Torpedo boat}, a vessel adapted for carrying, launching,
   operating, or otherwise making use of, torpedoes against
   an enemy's ship.
{Torpedo nettings}, nettings made of chains or bars, which
   can be suspended around a vessel and allowed to sink
   beneath the surface of the water, as a protection against
   torpedoes.

\Tor*pe"do\, v. t.
to destroy by, or subject to the action of, a torpedo.
--London Spectator.