Crampfish

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Torpedo \Tor*pe"do\, n.; pl. {Torpedoes}. [L. torpedo, -inis,
     from torpere to be stiff, numb, or torpid. See {Torpid}.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of elasmobranch fishes
        belonging to {Torpedo} and allied genera. They are related
        to the rays, but have the power of giving electrical


        shocks. Called also {crampfish}, and {numbfish}. See
        {Electrical fish}, under {Electrical}.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The common European torpedo ({Torpedo vulgaris}) and
           the American species ({Torpedo occidentalis}) are the
           best known.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. An engine or machine for destroying ships by blowing them
        up; a mine[4]. Specifically: 
        [1913 Webster +PJC]
        (a) A quantity of explosives anchored in a channel,
            beneath the water, or set adrift in a current, and so
            designed that they will explode when touched or
            approached by a vessel, or when an electric circuit is
            closed by an operator on shore; now called {marine
            mine}. [obsolete]
            [1913 Webster +PJC]
  
                  Damn the torpedoes -- full speed ahead! --Adm.
                                                    David Glasgow
                                                    Farragut (At
                                                    the battle of
                                                    Mobile Bay,
                                                    1864).
        (b) A kind of small submarine boat carrying an explosive
            charge, and projected from a ship against another ship
            at a distance, or made self-propelling, and otherwise
            automatic in its action against a distant ship.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Mil.) A kind of shell or cartridge buried in earth, to be
        exploded by electricity or by stepping on it; now called
        {land mine}. [obsolete]
        [1913 Webster +PJC]
  
     4. (Railroad) A kind of detonating cartridge or shell placed
        on a rail, and exploded when crushed under the locomotive
        wheels, -- used as an alarm signal.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     5. An explosive cartridge or shell lowered or dropped into a
        bored oil well, and there exploded, to clear the well of
        obstructions or to open communication with a source of
        supply of oil.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     6. A kind of firework in the form of a small ball, or pellet,
        which explodes when thrown upon a hard object.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     7. An automobile with a {torpedo body}. [Archaic Cant]
        [Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC]
  
     {Fish torpedo}, a spindle-shaped, or fish-shaped,
        self-propelling submarine torpedo.
  
     {Spar torpedo}, a canister or other vessel containing an
        explosive charge, and attached to the end of a long spar
        which projects from a ship or boat and is thrust against
        an enemy's ship, exploding the torpedo.
  
     {Torpedo boat}, a vessel adapted for carrying, launching,
        operating, or otherwise making use of, torpedoes against
        an enemy's ship., especially, a small, fast boat with
        tubes for launching torpedoes.
  
     {Torpedo nettings}, nettings made of chains or bars, which
        can be suspended around a vessel and allowed to sink
        beneath the surface of the water, as a protection against
        torpedoes.
        [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Crampfish \Cramp"fish`\ (kr?mp"f?sh`), n. (Zool.)
     The torpedo, or electric ray, the touch of which gives an
     electric shock. See {Electric fish}, and {Torpedo}.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  crampfish
       n : any sluggish bottom-dwelling ray of the order
           Torpediniformes having a rounded body and electric organs
           on each side of the head capable of emitting strong
           electric discharges [syn: {electric ray}, {numbfish}, {torpedo}]