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destructor

American  
[dih-struhk-ter] / dɪˈstrʌk tər /

noun

  • destructors
    plural
  1. British. a furnace for the burning of refuse; incinerator.

  2. Rocketry. a destruct mechanism or device for destroying an off-course airborne missile or launch vehicle.


destructor British  
/ dɪˈstrʌktə /

noun

  1. a furnace or incinerator for the disposal of refuse, esp one that uses the resulting heat to generate power

  2. a device used to blow up a dangerously defective missile or rocket after launching

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms


Etymology

Origin of destructor

1685–95; < Late Latin dēstructor, equivalent to Latin dēstruc- variant stem of dēstruere ( see destruction) + -tor -tor


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Two of the biggest disease threats for honey bees, according to the researchers, are DWV and the tiny parasite that spreads it: the Varroa destructor mite.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 14, 2023

The parasitic mite Varroa destructor that helps transmit viruses is the chief culprit, but bad weather and queen issues were also big problems in the past year, Steinhauer said.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 22, 2023

One of the most severe threats to honey bees over the past several decades has been Varroa destructor, a crablike parasitic mite that feeds on honey bees' fat body tissue.

From Salon ● Nov. 12, 2022

The varroa destructor was first found at a port near Sydney last week but has since been spotted in hives 100km away.

From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2022

Various forms of patent movable fire-bars have been employed 108 in destructor furnaces.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 2 "Demijohn" to "Destructor" by Various

Those claims might amount to more than puffery, even if James Naismith may have failed to comprehend the roles of destructors and ambassadors in his beloved game.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 1, 2020

He was particularly severe on our artificial hoofs, as he called our boots, and our hats or hair destructors.

From A Modern Utopia by H. G. (Herbert George) Wells

This type of cell was largely used during the early period of the history of destructors, but has to a considerable extent given place to furnaces of more modern design.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 2 "Demijohn" to "Destructor" by Various

The cost of burning ton for ton consumed, in high-temperature furnaces, including labour and repairs, is not greater than in slow-combustion destructors.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 3 "Destructors" to "Diameter" by Various

Through defects in the design and management of many of the early destructors complaints of nuisance frequently arose, and these have, to some extent, brought destructor installations into disrepute.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 3 "Destructors" to "Diameter" by Various

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