sloop of war

American  

noun

1. (formerly) a sailing or steam naval vessel having cannons on only one deck.

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sloop of war British  

noun

1. (formerly) a small fast sailing warship mounting some 10 to 30 small calibre guns on one deck

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Etymology

Origin of sloop of war

First recorded in 1695–1705

Example Sentences

On the clear, cold, moonlit night of February 17, 1864, John Crosby, the officer of the deck aboard the Union’s mightiest sloop of war, the USS Housatonic, stood gazing across the waters of Charleston Harbor.

From Literature

Wright had also written to Admiral Thomas Graves, Gage’s naval commander, asking for “immediate assistance” and “a sloop of war of some sort.”

From Literature

Mayo spent the next three weeks helping to prepare the Wasp, a sloop of war armed with 18 guns, for coastal patrol, to guard against British seizure of American cargo and impressment of American seamen.

From New York Times

Mr. Shubrick being sent on board to take possession, reported that the vessel was the sloop of war, Peacock, and that she had six feet water in the hold.

From Project Gutenberg

She at length arrived, but not alone—the Cherub, a sloop of war bearing her company.

From Project Gutenberg