caravel

[ kar-uh-vel ]

noun

1. a small Spanish or Portuguese sailing vessel of the Middle Ages and later, usually lateen-rigged on two or three masts.

caravel

/ ˈkærəˌvɛl /

noun

1. a two- or three-masted sailing ship, esp one with a broad beam, high poop deck, and lateen rig that was used by the Spanish and Portuguese in the 15th and 16th centuries

Word History and Origins

Origin of caravel¹

1520–30; < Middle French car ( a ) velle < Portuguese caravela, equivalent to cárav ( o ) kind of ship (< Late Latin carabus a small wicker boat < Greek kárabos skiff, crayfish) + -ela diminutive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of caravel¹

C16: from Portuguese caravela, diminutive of caravo ship, ultimately from Greek karabos crab, horned beetle

Example Sentences

In spite of his seamanship, the caravel was wrecked on the island of Cuba.

From Project Gutenberg

The caravel, with a crew of the strongest, was despatched for succour, and was never heard of again.

From Project Gutenberg

Leaves set forth, a few at a time, with a little volley of birds—a buoyant caravel.

From Project Gutenberg

Into the path traversed by the lowly caravel steamed the towering Doraine, pointing her gleaming nose to the north and east.

From Project Gutenberg

Instead of so doing, in his fright, he rowed off to the other caravel, about half a league to windward.

From Project Gutenberg