destructor

American  

[dih-struhk-ter] / dɪˈstrʌk tər /

noun

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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of destructor

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

Example Sentences

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

They eat the stem, which thus becomes weak, and breaks; but are checked by another insect, called the destructor, otherwise whole crops of wheat would be annihilated.

From The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 12, No. 334, October 4, 1828 by Various