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 ( destruction ) + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter touts Caldwell as a player “on the rise” who is steadily getting comfortable with the scheme, and is becoming a “dominant block destructor” who “has the ability to make plays in the backfield.”

From Los Angeles Times

As he mentioned in different press conferences, every player in the team had clearly defined roles, and his was to be the destructor.

From BBC

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

The European honeybee is also being badly affected by a parasitic mite called varroa destructor.

From BBC

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