paravane

American  

[par-uh-veyn] / ˈpær əˌveɪn /

noun

1. an underwater defensive device against mines, consisting of a pair of torpedo-shaped vanes towed at the bow of a ship, usually a minesweeper, by cables that can cut the cable of a moored mine, causing the mine to rise to the surface, where it can be destroyed or removed from the water.

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paravane British  

/ ˈpærəˌveɪn /

noun

1. a torpedo-shaped device towed from the bow of a vessel so that the cables will cut the anchors of any moored mines

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Etymology

Origin of paravane

First recorded in 1915–20; para- ¹ + vane

Example Sentences

More of the white hull and the anchor came into view, followed by the paravane, a long pole used to snare mines.

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2014

Vernon, N. Y. Paravanes Explained Sirs: There are two distinct types of paravanes, the defensive and the explosive paravane.

From Time Magazine Archive

Soon submarines, submerged to periscope depth, surrounded the Revenge; dummy torpedoes were fired against the "paravane"; and airplanes were catapulted from the deck of an aircraft carrier to drop "depth bombs" among the submarines.

From Time Magazine Archive

One defensive paravane is carried on each side of the vessel.

From Time Magazine Archive

Dragging a paravane through the water made the ship go slow.

From Flag and Fleet How the British Navy Won the Freedom of the Seas by Wood, William Charles Henry