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ship of war

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noun
  1. warship.
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Origin of ship of war

First recorded in 1470–80
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for ship of war

Historical Examples

  • I do not think those top-gallant-sails have the symmetry of the canvas of a ship-of-war.

    Homeward Bound

    James Fenimore Cooper

  • In a ship-of-war, used for washing decks (one of the midship pumps).

    The Sailor's Word-Book

    William Henry Smyth

  • When said of a ship-of-war, implies the number of guns she carries.

    The Sailor's Word-Book

    William Henry Smyth

  • He then embarked on a ship-of-war, and was again conveyed to France.

  • This is a ship-of-war, (or kings ship,) not a merchants ship.