destroyer

[dih-stroi-er] /dɪˈstrɔɪ ər/
noun
1.
a person or thing that destroys.
2.
a fast, relatively small, warship armed mainly with 5-inch (13-cm) guns.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English destroiere (compare Old French destruiere). See destroy, -er1
Related forms
self-destroyer, noun
Examples from the web for destroyer
  • The monsoon is the great life-giver and the great destroyer of the subcontinent.
  • Methamphetamine has a fearsome reputation as a destroyer of families.
  • Let them build nuclear power plants, the more the better to ensure the early extinction of the destroyer of all life.
  • Inflation is not an equal opportunity destroyer of value.
  • Time heals all wounds, but it is also the great destroyer.
  • Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
  • Whatever destruction was done, the hand of the destroyer was stayed.
  • Another is that volatile markets can quickly turn a wealth creator into a wealth destroyer.
  • Recently, several companies have begun marketing first aid products that include the fruity destroyer.
  • We asked him how it feels to be a destroyer of worlds.
British Dictionary definitions for destroyer

destroyer

/dɪˈstrɔɪə/
noun
1.
a small fast lightly armoured but heavily armed warship
2.
a person or thing that destroys
Word Origin and History for destroyer
n.

late 14c., "someone or something that destroys," agent noun from Old French destruire (see destroy). As a type of warship, 1893, originally torpedo-boat destroyer; the class name perhaps from the proper name given to one such ship in the U.S. Navy in 1882.

destroyer in the Bible

(Ex. 12:23), the agent employed in the killing of the first-born; the destroying angel or messenger of God. (Comp. 2 Kings 19:35; 2 Sam. 24:15, 16; Ps. 78:49; Acts 12:23.)