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caravel Definition

cara·vel (karə vel′)

noun

any of several kinds of fast, small sailing ships, esp. one with a narrow, high poop and lateen sails, used by the Spaniards and Portuguese in the 15th and 16th cent.

Etymology: MFr < Port caravela, dim. of caravo, small vessel < LL carabus, small wicker boat covered with leather < L, kind of crab < Gr karabos

caravel Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • rig: The Matthew is a modern recreation of the square rigged caravel that John Cabot sailed from Bristol to Newfoundland in 1497.

Adjective modifier

  • fragile: You will find yourselves wondering how those brave men dare to sail those waters in such fragile caravels!
  • Spanish: The key exhibit, covering most of the ground floor, is the Molasses Reef Wreck, an early 16th-century Spanish caravel.
  • early: The key exhibit, covering most of the ground floor, is the Molasses Reef Wreck, an early 16th-century Spanish caravel.
  • such: You will find yourselves wondering how those brave men dare to sail those waters in such fragile caravels!

Browse dictionary entries near caravel

  1. caravansary
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  4. carat
  5. carapace
  6. carangid
  7. caramelize
  8. caramel
  9. carambola
  10. caramba
  1. caraway
  2. carb
  3. carb-
  4. carbamate
  5. carbamic acid
  6. carbanion
  7. carbazole
  8. carbide
  9. carbine
  10. carbineer