bunker buster, n. colloq.
Brit. /ˈbʌŋkəˌbʌstə/, U.S. /ˈbəŋkərˌbəstər/
[‹ bunker n.1 + buster n.]
1. U.S. Golf (humorous). A golfer. rare.
In later use an independent re-formation after sense 2.
| 1930 Ironwood (Mich.) Daily Globe 27 Oct. 11/4 The climax will come in January when the bunker-busters warm up at Agua Caliente for $25,000. 2003 Orlando Sentinel 4 June d9 Golf Confidential's lead bunker buster was shooting the breeze with a pal about the crazy 2003 season the other day. |
2. a. A member of a military unit with a mission to destroy or capture enemy bunkers. rare.
| 1944 Ames (Iowa) Daily Tribune 6 Dec. 5/1 A crew of American ‘bunker-busters’..have won their first skirmish. |
b. A missile or other weapon designed or intended to penetrate and destroy a military bunker.
| 1953 Lethbridge (Alberta) Herald 8 May 7/1 Most rounds were bunker busters, but much shooting supported patrols or discouraged enemy activity close to Canadian lines. 1985 Def. & Foreign Affairs May 29/2 The Aerospatiale As-30 air-to-ground laser-guided ‘bunker buster’ missile. 2003 New Scientist 22 Nov. 4/2 Modifying existing weapons..into ‘earth penetrators’ or bunker-busters could..make their use in battle more likely. |