Etymology of the English word torpedo
the English word
torpedoderived from the Classical Latin word
torpedo (lethargy, inertness, sluggishness)
derived from the Latin word
torpere (be numb or lethargic; be struck motionless from fear)
derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*ster-Date
The earliest known usage of torpedo in English dates from the 16th century.
Derivations in English
torpex,
torpedomanCognates
Dutch
torpedo, German
Torpedo, Lithuanian
torpeda, Norwegian
torpedo, Polish
torpeda, Russian
торпeдa, Swedish
torpedUsage
Word found in Modern English
