flotilla
[floh-til-uh]
- a group of small naval vessels, especially a naval unit containing two or more squadrons.
- a group moving together: The governor was followed by a whole flotilla of reporters.
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Origin of flotilla
1705–15; < Spanish, diminutive of flota fleet < French flotte < Old English flota
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for flotilla
Contemporary Examples
The pendant light is a flotilla of hot air balloons hand blown in glass.
But I was oddly pleased when I heard that 500 people were treated for hypothermia after the flotilla.
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will travel in the Royal Barge which will form the centrepiece of the flotilla.
Jubilee Events in LondonMay 31, 2012
The two countries are facing a major diplomatic rupture over a report on the Gaza flotilla raid, and neither side is backing down.
Flotilla organizers say someone sabotaged two of their ships currently docked in Greece.
Historical Examples
As soon as this penetrated to the flagship, Grayson was decorated and given a flotilla.
The AdventurerCyril M. Kornbluth
The officers on board the flotilla had no doubt at all that the danger was real.
A broad stream of dazzling foam trailed behind the flotilla.
Tales of UnrestJoseph Conrad
Again the war-drum is heard, just as the flotilla is passing a small island.
From Pole to PoleSven Anders Hedin
Instantly it was seen that quite a flotilla was approaching.
Young Glory and the Spanish CruiserWalter Fenton Mott
flotilla
- a small fleet or a fleet of small vessels
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Word Origin
C18: from Spanish flota fleet, from French flotte, ultimately from Old Norse floti
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for flotilla
n.
1711, "a small fleet," from Spanish flotilla, diminutive of flota "float," from flotar "to float," of Germanic origin (see float (v.)).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper