Etymology: Patrol Torpedo
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noun
a small fast unarmored and lightly armed torpedo boat; P(atrol) T(orpedo) boat
• Syn: ↑mosquito boat, ↑mosquito craft, ↑motor torpedo boat
• Hypernyms: ↑torpedo boat
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\\ˈpēˈtē-\ noun also pt (-s)Usage: usually capitalized P&T
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U.S. Mil.
a small, fast, lightly armed, unarmored, and highly maneuverable boat used chiefly for torpedoing enemy shipping. Also called mosquito boat, motor torpedo boat.
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PT boat,
a small, fast motorboat which carries torpedoes, depth bombs, and light antiaircraft armament.
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n. a motorboat equipped with torpedoes and used by the military, esp. during World War II
Origin:
1940s: from P(atrol) T(orpedo) boat
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PT boat [PT boat]
a small, fast US Navy boat that carries torpedoes (= tube-shaped bombs that are fired under water). PT boats were used especially during ↑World War II.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.