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paravane

American

[par-uh-vayn] / 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.

paravane British

/ 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

"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

Etymology

Origin of paravane

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

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.

See Examples For:

paravane

More of the white hull and the anchor came into view, followed by the paravane, a long pole used to snare mines.

From BBC ● Dec. 29, 2014

Should the mine strike the absolute stem of the vessel the paravane will not be of much use.

From Time Magazine Archive

The paravane is fitted with a horizontal rudder and is towed astern of a fast destroyer.

From Time Magazine Archive

One defensive paravane is carried on each side of the vessel.

From Time Magazine Archive

Topical Press A ParavaneHoisting in the starboard paravane of the P.V. mine-defence gear.

From Submarine Warfare of To-day How the Submarine Menace was Met and Vanquished, With Descriptions of the Inventions and Devices Used, Fast Boats, Mystery Ships by Charles W. (Charles William) Domville-Fife

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023