destructor
Americannoun
-
British. a furnace for the burning of refuse; incinerator.
-
Rocketry. a destruct mechanism or device for destroying an off-course airborne missile or launch vehicle.
noun
-
a furnace or incinerator for the disposal of refuse, esp one that uses the resulting heat to generate power
-
a device used to blow up a dangerously defective missile or rocket after launching
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.
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
After a few moments' waiting, she returned to the destructor, where the flames were falling, and churned up Wynn's charring books with the poker.
From A Diversity of Creatures by Kipling, Rudyard
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
