torpedo 
beget liberty, by evaporating a cold breath to stupifie 
such as either touch or hold a thing that touches it. 
Sir T. Herbert, Travels (ed. 1638), p. 349. 
2. [cop.] [NL. (Dumeril, 1806).] The typical 
genus of the family 
Torpedinidse. It is now 
restricted to electric rays 
whose trunk is very broad 
and disk-like, evenly round- 
ed in frontand on the sides, 
and abruptly contracted at 
the tail, whose caudal fin is 
well developed, and which 
have two dorsals, large sep- 
arate ventrala, and the skin 
perfectly smooth. They are 
large rays, chiefly of Atlan- 
tic waters. T. occidentatis, 
which is found along the 
Atlantic coast of North 
America, though not very 
common there, attains a 
length of about five feet; it 
is nearly uniform blackish 
above, and white below. T. 
californica, of the opposite 
coast, is a spotted species. 
3. An explosive device belonging to either of 
two distinct classes of submarine destructive 
agents used in war namely, torpedoes proper, 
which are propelled against an enemy's ship, 
and more or less stationary submarine mines, 
placed where a hostile vessel would be likely to 
come within range of their destructive effect. 
Of the first class, called also offensive torpedoes, there are 
three principal types : (a) the locomotive or automobile tor- 
pedo, which class includes the Whitehead and many other 
patterns generally designated by theiiame of the inventor ; 
(6) the tmtriny or otter torpedo ; and (c) the spar- or outrigger- 
torpedo. The Whitehead torpedo,orflsh-torpedo,maybede- 
scribed as a cigar-shaped vessel from 14 to 19 feet in length, 
and from 14 to 16 inches in diameter. It is made of steel and 
divided into three compartments, the forward one carry- 
ing the explosive charge with the fuse, to be fired on im- 
pact, the middle one containing the mechanism by which 
its course is adjusted, and the rear compartment contain- 
ing the reservoir of compressed air and the engine for driv- 
ing the three-bladed screw by which it is propelled at a 
speed of from 20 to 30 miles an hour for about 500 yards. 
It is expected to be a formidable weapon, but thus far the 
results from its use have not justified the expectations. 
g 
Torpcdo 
occidtntaiis). 
6392 
with the shore and fired at the pleasure of the operator. 
A vast deal of study and expense has been devoted to the 
perfection of torpedoes, and almost all governments now 
have schools for the instruction of naval and army offi- 
cers in torpedo-warfare. See torpedo-school. 
4. Hence, some other explosive agent. Specifi- 
cally (a) Milit., a shell buried in the path of a storming 
party, having a percussion or friction device, or an elec- 
trical arrangement which explodes the charge when the 
ground over the torpedo is trod on. (&) A danger-signal 
consisting of a detonating cartridge laid on a rail of a rail- 
way and exploded by the wheels of a passing locomotive, 
(c) A small quantity of an explosive wrapped up with a 
number of small pebbles in a piece of tissue-paper, and 
exploded by being thrown on the ground or against some 
hard surface, for the amusement of children, (rf) A car- 
tridge of gunpowder, dynamite, nitroglycerin, etc., ex- 
ploded in an oil-well to start the flow of oil, or in the 
vicinity of a school of fish to destroy great numbers of 
them, and for other purposes. 
5. In mcd., narcosis ; stupor. [Rare.] 
torpedo (tor-pe'do), {i. [< torpedo, n.~] I. tninn. 
To attack with torpedoes; explode a torpedo 
under or in. 
If ramming is tried before the enemy is disabled, the 
vessel trying it may be torpedoed in passing, and has added 
liabilities to other injuries. Sci. Amer. , N. 8., LXIII. 304. 
Oil and gas wells were seen in all stages of progress, 
among other operations that of torpedoing a well with 
nitro-glycerine being successfully accomplished. 
The Engineer, LXX. 381. 
II. intrans. To use or explode torpedoes. 
Torpedoing where the well is deep [to increase the flow]. 
Sci. Amer. Supp., p. 8070. 
torpedo-anchor (t6r-pe'do-ang"kor),B. An an- 
chor of any form for securing a submarine tor- 
pedo in position. 
torpedo-boat (tor-pe'do-bdt), n. Naut., a boat 
from which a torpedo is operated; especially, a 
Whitehead Subaqueous Torpedo. 
a, body of shell ; fr, motor operated by compressed air; rf, propeller- 
shaft ; e, propeller ; f, side-rudder (one on each side) ; -, regulator 
for rudder; k, air-tank. 
In other patterns the motive power is supplied by com- 
pressed gas. In several inventions a reel of insulated wire 
in the stern is paid out as the vessel proceeds, keeping up 
communication with the shore, and a small flag or staff 
above water indicates its whereabouts an electrical ap- 
paratus in connection with the reel of wire affording the 
Sims-Edison Torpedo. 
In this the torpedo a is carried by a float *, with indicators f which, 
when elevated as indicated in full outline, show its position. The 
propeller e and rudder d are each operated by an electric current 
sent through the cable g, the steering being performed from the 
torpedo-station and guided by observation of the indicators; f is the 
motor ; h, explosive charge ; i, firing mechanism ; j, sharp steel 
blade for severing cables, ropes, or other obstructions. The torpedo 
may be used by war-vessels, as well as from land-stations, travel- 
ing by its own power about 100 feet ahead of the ship, to which it is 
attached by electric snap-cables When released it may proceed, at 
full speed, guided by the pilot, in the direction desired. When passing 
under an obstruction, such as floating timber, etc., the indicators are 
pressed backward, as shown in dotted outline, and automatically 
resume their position after the obstruction is passed. 
means of starting, stopping, directing, or firing it. Va- 
rious forms of towing torpedoes have been devised, of 
which the best-known is that of Commander Harvey, 
R. N. This torpedo is towed on the quarter of the attack- 
ing vessel, and is so attached to the tow-line as to pull the 
line out at an angle with the course of the attacking ves- 
sel, which endeavors to manoeuver so as to draw the tor- 
pedo under the hull of an enemy and explode its charge 
on contact by a trigger-bolt ; but in practice it has not 
been successful, and in the navies of Great Britain and 
the United States has been withdrawn from use. The 
spar- or outrigger-torpedo consists of a metal case contain- 
ing the explosive (guncotton, gunpowder, dynamite, etc.) 
and fitted with a fuse so arranged as to explode by means 
of an electric current or by contact with the hull of an 
enemy's ship. It is fastened on the end of a spar or out- 
rigger, which may be attached to the bows of a small steam- 
er built on purpose, may be protruded under water from 
a properly fitted vessel, or may be carried on a spar pro- 
jecting from the stem or the side of an ordinary man-of- 
war. The general leaning seems now to be in favor of 
automobile torpedoes projected from the bows or side of 
specially constructed vessels of great speed. Stationary 
torpedoes, or submarine mines, placed in channels or har- 
bors to prevent the approach of an enemy's vessels, usu- 
ally consist of a strong water-tight metal case contain- 
ing an efficient explosive, and having fuses to explode the 
charge on contact, or being connected by electric wires 
United States Torpedo-boat " Gushing." 
small swift steamer carrying one or more offen- 
sive torpedoes for use against an enemy's ships. 
torpedo-boom (t6r-pe' do-bom), n. A spar for 
carrying a torpedo, either projected from a 
boat or vessel, or anchored to the bpd of a 
channel. 
torpedo-catcher (t6r-pe'do-kach''er), n. A 
swift steam man-of-war, especially designed to 
overtake and capture torpedo-boats. 
torpedoist (tor-pe'do-ist), n. [< torpedo + -is/.] 
One who uses or who advocates the use of tor- 
pedoes. [Recent.] 
The torpedoist tells us that his weapon (meaning the lo- 
comotive torpedo) will certainly decide an action, and for- 
bid ships to approach near enough for ramming. 
Encyc. Brit., XXIV. 366. 
torpedo-net (tor-pe'do-net), n. A network of 
steel or iron wire hung around a ship and 
boomed off by spars to intercept torpedoes or 
torpedo-boats. When not in use it is stopped 
up alongside the ship. 
torpedo-netting (tor-pe'do-net'ing), n. Same 
as torpedo-net. 
torpedo-officer (tor-pe'do-of i-ser), H. One of 
the line officers of a man-of-war whose special 
duty it is to supervise and care for the torpe- 
does and their fittings. 
torpedo-school (tor-pe'do-skol), n. A govern- 
ment school for teaching officers and enlisted 
men of the army and navy the construction and 
use of torpedoes. In the United States a torpedo-school 
for the navy has been established at Newport, Ehode 
Island, and for the army at Willett's Point, New York. 
torpedo-spar (tor-pe'do-spiir), n. A wooden or 
iron spar projecting from the bows or side of a 
steamer, and on the end of which a torpedo is 
carried. 
torpedo-tube (tor-pe'do-tub), . Sameas launck- 
ing-tube. 
torpelnesst, [ME.; as torple + -ness.] In- 
stability. 
Galilee speleth hweol, uorte leren us thet we of the 
worldes torpelnesse, of sunne hweol, ofte gon to schrifte. 
Ancren Itiwle, p. 322. 
torpent (t6r'pent), a. and . [< L. torpen(t-)s, 
ppr. of torpere, benumb. Cf. torpid.] I. a. 
Benumbed; numb; incapable of activity or 
sensibility; torpid; dull; dim. [Rare.] 
Nor indeed could we think of a more comprehensive ex- 
pedient whereby to assist the frail and torpent memory. 
Evelyn, Calendarium Hortense, Int. 
II. . A medicine that diminishes the ex- 
ertion of the irritative motions. Imp. Diet. 
[Rare.] 
torpor 
torpescence (tor-pos'ens), H. [< torpescen(t) + 
-cc.] The state of being torpescent ; the qual- 
ity of becoming torpent; torpidity; numbness; 
insensibility. [Rare.] 
torpescent (tor-pes'ent), fl. [< L. torpescen(t-)s, 
ppr. of torpescere, grow numb or stiff, inceptive 
of torpere, benumb: see torpent.'] Becoming 
torpent ; growing torpid or benumbed. [Rare.] 
Of gold tenacious, their torpescent soul 
Clenches their coin, and what electral fire 
Shall solve the frosty gripe, and bid it flow? 
Shenstone, Economy, i. 
torpid (tor'pid), a. and n. [< L. torpidus, be- 
numbed, torpid, < torpere, be numb, stiff, or tor- 
pid.] I. n. 1. Benumbed; insensible; inactive. 
November dark 
Checks vegetation in the torpid plant 
Expos'd to his cold breath. 
Cowper, Task, iii. 468. 
2. Specifically, dormant, as an animal in hiber- 
nation or estivation, when it passes its time in 
sleep: as, a torpid snake. 3. Figuratively, 
dull ; sluggish ; apathetic. 
Now to the church behold the mourners come, 
Sedately torpid and devoutly dumb. 
Crabbe, Works, I. 16. 
The love of children had never been quickened in Hep- 
zibah's heart, and was now torpid, if not extinct. 
Hawthorne, Seven Gables, ii. 
4. Pertaining to the torpids, or Lent boat- 
races at Oxford. See II. [Oxford slang.] 
The Torpid Races last six days. 
Dicltens's Diet. Oxford, p. 18. 
II. H. 1. A second-class racing-boat at Ox- 
ford, corresponding to the slogger of Cambridge; 
also, one of the crew of such a boat. [Oxford 
slang.] 
The torpids being filled with the refuse of the rowing- 
men generally awkward or very young oarsmen. 
T. Hughes, Tom Brown at Oxford, II. iv. 
An undergraduate who is one of their best torpids. 
Pott Mall Gazette, Feb. 26, 1884. (Encyc. Diet.) 
2. pi. The Lent boat-races at Oxford. [Ox- 
ford slang.] 
Three weeks or so before the Lent Races, or Torpids as 
they are invariably called here, the crews are put into 
training. Dickens's Diet. Oxford, p. 18. 
torpidity (t&r-pid'i-ti), n. [< torpid + -ity.J 
1. Insensibility; numbness; torpor; apathy. 
Our Aryan brother creeps about his daily avocations 
with the desiccated appearance of a frozen frog, or sits in 
dormouse torpidity with his knees about his ears. 
P. Robinson, Under the Sun, p. 94. 
2. In zool., a dormant state in which no food 
is taken; the condition of an animal in hiber- 
nation or estivation, when it passes its time in 
the winter or summer sleep; dormancy. 3. 
Dullness; sluggishness; stupidity. 
Genius, likely to be lost in obscurity, or chilled to tor- 
pidity in the cold atmosphere of extreme indigence. 
V. Knox, Grammar Schools. 
torpidly (tor'pid-li), adv. In a torpid manner ; 
in consequence of numbness, insensibility, or 
apathy; sluggishly; slowly; stupidly. 
torpidness (tor'pid-nes), n. Torpidity; tor- 
por. 
The exercise of this faculty . . . keeps it from rust and 
torpidness. Sir M. Hale, Orig. of Mankind, p. 3. 
torpify (tor'pi-fi), v. t.; pret. and pp. torpified, 
ppr. torpifying. [< L. torpefacere, make numb, 
< torpere, be numb, + facere, make (see -/#).] 
To make torpid ; stupefy ; numb ; blunt. 
They [sermons] are not harmless if they torpify the 
understanding. Southey, Doctor, xxvii. 
torpitude (tor'pi-tud), n. [Irreg., < torpi(d) + 
-tude.'] Torpor; torpidity; dormancy, as of 
animals. See torpidity, 2. 
Able to exist in a kind of torpitude or sleeping state 
without any food. Derham, Physico-Theol., viii. 5. 
torplet, v. i. [ME. torplen; origin obscure. 
Cf. torfel. Cf. topple. Hence torpelness.] To 
fall headlong; topple. 
The thet nappeth upon helle brerde, he torpleth ofte al 
in er he lest wene. Ancren Riwle, p. 324. 
torpor (tor'por), 11. [= F. torpenr = Sp. Pg. 
torpor = It. torpore, < L. torpor, numbness, < 
torpere, be numb or torpid : see torpent, torpid.'] 
1. Loss of motion or sensibility ; numbness or 
inactivity of mind or body; torpidity; torpid- 
ness; dormancy: apathy; stupor: as, the tor- 
por of a hibernating animal ; the torpor of in- 
toxication or of grief. 
It was some time before he [Rip Van Winkle] could get 
into the regular track of gossip, or could be made to com- 
prehend the strange events that had taken place during 
his torpor. Irving, Sketch-Book, p. 64. 
2. Dullness; sluggishness; apathy; stupidity. 
