destroyer
nounattested in dialogue
- United States//dəˈstɹɔɪ.ɚ//
That which destroys something.
noun
- 1
That which destroys something.
But it is as a destroyer of grasshoppers that the dickcissel excels.
These temple destroyers, devotees of ravaging commercialism, seem to have a perfect contempt for Nature, and, instead of lifting their eyes to the God of the mountains, lift them to the Almighty Dollar.
- 2
historicalA small, fast warship with light gun armament, smaller than a cruiser, but bigger than a frigate.
- 3
A larger warship with guided missile armament, usually intended for air defence or anti-ship roles. Often, but not always, larger than a frigate and smaller than a cruiser.
- 4
A larger warship with guided missile armament, usually intended for air defence or anti-ship roles. Often, but not always, larger than a frigate and smaller than a cruiser. A starship of comparable role.
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English destroyour, destroyere; By surface analysis, destroy + -er. Designating a warship, it is ellipsis of torpedo-boat destroyer, the longer term appearing at the end of the 19th century and the shorter form early in the 20th.
Forms
- plural
- destroyers
destroyer · That which destroys something.
destruction · The act of destroying.destructive · Causing destruction; damaging.detached · Not physically attached; separated from something to which it…