torpedo-boat destroyer

American  

[tawr-pee-doh-boht] / tɔrˈpi doʊˌboʊt /

noun

1. a vessel somewhat larger than the ordinary torpedo boat, designed for destroying torpedo boats or as a more powerful form of torpedo boat.

---

torpedo-boat destroyer British  

noun

1. (formerly) a large powerful high-speed torpedo boat designed to destroy enemy torpedo boats: a forerunner of the modern destroyer, from which the name is derived

---

Etymology

Origin of torpedo-boat destroyer

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

The most durable type of vessel to emerge in direct response to torpedo development was the torpedo-boat destroyer, better known as simply the destroyer, which began to appear in the early 1890s.

From Salon • Jan. 26, 2014

And, in Henry VIII's fleet of 1545, the 'row-barge' was the principal 'mosquito' craft, like the modern torpedo-boat, destroyer, or even submarine.

From Elizabethan Sea Dogs by Wood, William Charles Henry

"She's as fast as a torpedo-boat destroyer, then, sir," hazarded Dan.

From Dave Darrin's Fourth Year at Annapolis by Hancock, H. Irving (Harrie Irving)

A battleship should be at least twice as long as a torpedo-boat destroyer.

From Boys' Book of Model Boats by Yates, Raymond F. (Raymond Francis)

She picked up the miniature torpedo-boat destroyer and a shower of bonbons fell to the floor.

From Madge Morton's Secret by Chalmers, Amy D. V.