man-of-war

[ man-uhv-wawr ]

noun

, plural men-of-war.

1. a warship.
2. Portuguese man-of-war.

man-of-war

noun

1. a warship
2. See Portuguese man-of-war
   See Portuguese man-of-war

Word History and Origins

Origin of man-of-war¹

1400–50 in sense “soldier”; late Middle English

Example Sentences

Later on the commander of a German man-of-war and his staff were received and fêted by the Captain-General.

From Project Gutenberg

Lauritz Seehus, creeping in behind him, took the yoke lines, so that everything should be done man-of-war fashion.

From Project Gutenberg

As soon as they saw our papers signed up by the first man-of-war they let us go very promptly.

From Project Gutenberg

Little time was lost in bringing the doctors—Anderson, of the man-of-war, and his friend Dr. Funk.

From Project Gutenberg

Fourteen inches is man-of-war allowance, but eighteen inches were allowed for the Guards.

From Project Gutenberg