paravane
[ par-uh-veyn ]
/ ˈpær əˌveɪn /
noun
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.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for paravane
In some forms of paravane there is a hinged jaw which is operated from the ship to shear the cable.
Inventions of the Great War|A. Russell (Alexander Russell) BondThe mine cable slides along the paravane cable and in this way is carried clear of the ship's hull.
Inventions of the Great War|A. Russell (Alexander Russell) BondA careful study of Fig. 30 will show how this is prevented by the deflecting wires of the paravane.
Submarine Warfare of To-day|Charles W. Domville-Fife
British Dictionary definitions for paravane
paravane
/ (ˈpærəˌveɪn) /
noun
a torpedo-shaped device towed from the bow of a vessel so that the cables will cut the anchors of any moored mines
Word Origin for paravane
C20: from para- ² + vane
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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