Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
man-of-war
noun
/ˈmæn əvˈwɔr/
Definition
A heavily armed warship that was prominent from the 16th to the 19th centuries, often equipped with numerous cannons.
Examples
- The Spanish Armada included many man-of-war ships.
- Throughout history, the man-of-war played a crucial role in naval battles.
- In the famous story, the pirate’s man-of-war terrorized the Caribbean seas.
Meaning
The term originally referred to a class of large naval vessels used in warfare. It represents significant power in naval combat and is sometimes used metaphorically to signify a strong or formidable presence.
Synonyms
- warship
- battleship
- cruiser
