Exocet

American  

[ek-soh-set] / ˈɛk soʊˌsɛt /

Trademark.

1. a winged, radar-guided French anti-ship missile, launched from the surface or an aircraft, that skims the waves at close to the speed of sound.

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Exocet British  

/ ˈɛksəʊˌsɛt /

noun

1. a tactical missile with a high-explosive warhead, which is guided by computer and radar, travels at a very low altitude at high subsonic speed, and has a range of up to 70 km. It may be launched from a ship, aircraft, or submarine

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Etymology

Origin of Exocet

C20: from French, from New Latin Exocoetus volitans flying fish

Example Sentences

"When he used to shoot with his left foot it was like an Exocet."

From BBC • Sep. 17, 2018

There was the Belgrano and two destroyers armed with Exocet missiles milling around in the southern ocean.

From New York Times • Aug. 8, 2013

The France manager singled out Ginola for criticism, accusing him of being "the murderer" of French hopes: "He sent an Exocet missile through the heart of French football and committed a crime against the team."

From The Guardian • Nov. 16, 2012

The Argentine air force was well equipped with Dassault-Breguet Super Etendard strike fighters, which destroyed several British ships with Exocet missiles.

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2012

Charles Monet had been an Exocet missile that struck the hospital below the water line.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston