hellfire
n. C1 Advanced US //ˈhɛɫˌfaɪɹ// UK //hˈɛlfaɪə// hell·fire
n. a very powerful and destructive weapon or attack. It is a strong way to describe something that causes a lot of damage or fear.
n. a powerful, destructive, or intimidating weapon or attack. Often used metaphorically to describe a situation of extreme danger or intensity.
The new missile system is a hellfire for the enemy.
The pilot released a hellfire missile that struck the target with incredible precision.
The general's strategy relied on a hellfire of artillery to break the enemy's morale before the infantry could even advance.
From Middle English helle fire, helever, from Old English hellefȳr, equivalent to hell + fire. Cognate with West Frisian helfjoer (“hellfire”), Dutch hellevuur (“hellfire”), German Höllenfeuer (“hellfire”).