torpedo-boat destroyer

[ tawr-pee-doh-boht ]

noun

1. a vessel somewhat larger than the ordinary torpedo boat, designed for destroying torpedo boats or as a more powerful form of torpedo boat.

torpedo-boat destroyer

noun

1. (formerly) a large powerful high-speed torpedo boat designed to destroy enemy torpedo boats: a forerunner of the modern destroyer, from which the name is derived

Word History and Origins

Origin of torpedo-boat destroyer¹

First recorded in 1890–95