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fireship. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
fireship, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
fireship in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
fireship you have here. The definition of the word
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fireship, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From fire + ship.
Pronunciation
Noun
fireship (plural fireships)
- (nautical) A sailing ship that has been set alight and left to drift into an opposing fleet. Famously used by Englishman Sir Francis Drake when fighting the Spanish Armada of 1588.
1984, Witold Rodzinksi, The Walled Kingdom: A History of China from 2000 BC to the Present, London: Fontana Paperbacks, →ISBN, →OCLC, →OL, page 69:His attempt in 208 to cross the Yangtse was frustrated in the famous battle of Ch'ih-pi, in which his immense fleet was destroyed by his enemies' fireships, and most of his army slain.
- (vulgar, slang) A diseased prostitute.
Hyponyms
(boat ablaze):
See also
(boat ablaze):
(prostitute):
References
- Depraved and Insulting English – Peter Novobatsky & Ammon Shea →ISBN