Spar \Spar\, n. [OE. sparre; akin to D. spar, G. sparren, OHG.
   sparro, Dan. & Sw. sparre, Icel. sparri; of uncertain origin.
   [root]171. Cf. Spar, v. t. ]
   1. (Naut.) A general term any round piece of timber used as a
      mast, yard, boom, or gaff.
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   2. (Arch.) Formerly, a piece of timber, in a general sense;
      -- still applied locally to rafters.
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   3. The bar of a gate or door. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
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   Spar buoy (Naut.), a buoy anchored by one end so that the
      other end rises above the surface of the water.

   Spar deck (Naut.), the upper deck of a vessel; especially,
      in a frigate, the deck which is continued in a straight
      line from the quarter-deck to the forecastle, and on which
      spare spars are usually placed. See under Deck.

   Spar torpedo (Naut.), a torpedo carried on the end of a
      spar usually projecting from the bow of a vessel, and
      intended to explode upon contact with an enemy's ships.
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Torpedo \Tor*pe"do\, n.; pl. Torpedoes. [L. torpedo, -inis,
   from torpere to be stiff, numb, or torpid. See Torpid.]
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   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.
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   Note: The common European torpedo (Torpedo vulgaris) and
         the American species (Torpedo occidentalis) are the
         best known.
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   2. An engine or machine for destroying ships by blowing them
      up; a mine[4]. Specifically: 
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      (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]
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                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.
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   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]
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   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.
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   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.
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   6. A kind of firework in the form of a small ball, or pellet,
      which explodes when thrown upon a hard object.
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   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.
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