Advertisement

Advertisement

paravane

[ par-uh-veyn ]

noun

  1. an underwater defensive device against mines, consisting of a pair of torpedo-shaped vanes towed at the bow of a ship, usually a minesweeper, by cables that can cut the cable of a moored mine, causing the mine to rise to the surface, where it can be destroyed or removed from the water.


paravane

/ ˈpærəˌveɪn /

noun

  1. a torpedo-shaped device towed from the bow of a vessel so that the cables will cut the anchors of any moored mines
“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


Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of paravane1

First recorded in 1915–20; para- 1 + vane
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of paravane1

C20: from para- ² + vane
Discover More

Example Sentences

A careful study of Fig. 30 will show how this is prevented by the deflecting wires of the paravane.

In some forms of paravane there is a hinged jaw which is operated from the ship to shear the cable.

The mine cable slides along the paravane cable and in this way is carried clear of the ship's hull.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


paravailparavent