gun brig

American  

noun

1. a naval brig of the 18th century having from 8 to 12 guns.

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Etymology

Origin of gun brig

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

My eye, what a beautiful run!—a pair of cheeks fit for the bow of a frigate—a waist as fine and tapering as the royal of a gun brig—and a quarter fit for a man-of-war.

From Project Gutenberg

Captain Burk, who accompanied the Defence, being a prime sailor, he came up first, and poured a broadside on board a sixteen gun brig.

From Project Gutenberg

We continued drifting into the bay until about sunrise, when a light breeze sprung up and dispersed the fog, and we found ourselves drifting directly towards an English 20 gun brig called the Sophia, and the Acton of 16 guns, both lying at anchor within a mile of us.

From Project Gutenberg

Wyzinski courteously declined, urging that they must wait until the “Alert” gun brig should touch at Quillimane, as they were without funds, and unable to pay their passage to the Cape.

From Project Gutenberg

The “Halcyon” would not, in fact, as she rode to her anchors off the bar at Quillimane, have disgraced herself, even had she been, as she once was, her Majesty’s gun brig “Torch.”

From Project Gutenberg