man-of-war
[man-uh v-wawr]
- a warship.
- Portuguese man-of-war.
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Origin of man-of-war
1400–50 in sense “soldier”; late Middle English
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for man-of-war
Historical Examples
The Americans exulted at the failure of the man-of-war's man, and the English doubted.
Homeward BoundJames Fenimore Cooper
It is, in short, the man-of-war that was in St. Blas when we left there.
An Old Sailor's YarnsNathaniel Ames
Once, I remember, we came upon a man-of-war anchored off the coast.
Heart of DarknessJoseph Conrad
Then all the guns were fakes, and the whole business of a man-of-war as well?
The Harbor of DoubtFrank Williams
Carlos came to the side, and looked after the man-of-war in the distance.
RomanceJoseph Conrad and F.M. Hueffer
man-of-war
man o' war
- a warship
- See Portuguese man-of-war
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for man-of-war
n.
late 14c., "a soldier," from man (n.) + war. Meaning "vessel equipped for warfare" is from late 15c. Man in the sense of "a ship" is attested from late 15c. in combinations (e.g. merchantman). The sea creature known as the Portuguese man-of-war (1707) is so called for its sail-like crest.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper