Exocet

American  

[ek-soh-set] / ˈɛk soʊˌsɛt /

Trademark.

1. a winged, radar-guided French anti-ship missile, launched from the surface or an aircraft, that skims the waves at close to the speed of sound.

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Exocet British  

/ ˈɛksəʊˌsɛt /

noun

1. a tactical missile with a high-explosive warhead, which is guided by computer and radar, travels at a very low altitude at high subsonic speed, and has a range of up to 70 km. It may be launched from a ship, aircraft, or submarine

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Etymology

Origin of Exocet

C20: from French, from New Latin Exocoetus volitans flying fish

Example Sentences

"So when I changed my name and became Elton John, I just went off like an Exocet missile, and I had a great time. I lived my teenage years in my 20s, basically."

From BBC • Oct. 14, 2019

"When he used to shoot with his left foot it was like an Exocet."

From BBC • Sep. 17, 2018

There was the Belgrano and two destroyers armed with Exocet missiles milling around in the southern ocean.

From New York Times • Aug. 8, 2013

"Umbridge looks as if she should be quite soft, but underneath she's like an Exocet missile!" she laughs.

From The Guardian • Feb. 27, 2011

Charles Monet had been an Exocet missile that struck the hospital below the water line.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston