trireme

[trahy-reem]

noun

Classical History.

1. a galley with three rows or tiers of oars on each side, one above another, used chiefly as a warship.

trireme

/ ˈtraɪriːm /

noun

1. a galley, developed by the ancient Greeks as a warship, with three banks of oars on each side

Word History and Origins

Origin of trireme¹

1595–1605; < Latin trirēmis having three banks of oars, equivalent to tri- tri- + rēm ( us ) oar + -is adj. suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of trireme¹

C17: from Latin trirēmis , from _tri- + rēmus oar

Example Sentences

“Thank you for your patience while waiting, children—and the trireme is very impressive, I must say! But put it aside for now, for at last it is time to go.”

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In the distance, Greek triremes floated on Long Island Sound, prepped for war.

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The work of political philosophy belongs to, yes, the candidates, but mainly the nerds of academia, think tanks and journalists, pulling their oars on the triremes of policy.

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Visitors do all the rowing on the Olympias’ two-hour-long public trips, conducted near Salamis island where, in 480 B.C., outnumbered Athenian triremes vanquished a Persian armada in one of the world’s most famous sea engagements.

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New technologies of destruction have appeared throughout history, from the trireme and gunpowder in past centuries to biological and nuclear weapons in more modern times.

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