can opener

English

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Noun

can opener (plural can openers)

  1. A device used to open tin cans, usually by slicing the lid off.
    Synonym: (British) tin opener
    Hypernym: opener
    Hyponyms: churchkey, church key
    Coordinate term: bottle opener
  2. (roller derby) A shoulder hit to the chest, usually accomplished while moving from a crouched to a standing position.
  3. (slang) A tool for safe-cracking.
    • 1933, United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Commerce, Investigation of So-Called "Rackets": Hearings, page 697:
      Even the work of opening a safe with nitroglycerine or with a can opener places the criminal in a state of nervous tension.
    • 2003, Edward Anthony Gibbons, Crime, Passion & Conscience, page 69:
      “I wonder why they didn't use 'soup' (nitroglycerine) snuffing the drum (blowing safe) instead of a 'can-opener,” (3 ft. steel rod, pointed one end to punch starting hole in bottom of safe, other end shaped like a can opener to peal[sic] the bottom of safe open.) commented McLaughlin? [sic]
  4. (military, nautical, slang) A ramming maneuver, that opens up the target ship like a tin can.
  5. (military, slang) An anti-tank munition or attack vehicle, that opens up armour like a tin can.

Translations

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