Definition

1. Noun:
   • A former British unit of length: The "admiralty mile" is a historical unit of measurement used primarily in British navigation. It is defined as a length equivalent to 6,080 feet, or approximately 1,853.184 meters.

Usage

• The term "admiralty mile" is used in historical or specialized nautical contexts to refer to this specific, now-obsolete, measurement. It is longer than the more common statute mile used on land.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The chart indicated the distance between the two ports was precisely five admiralty miles.
  • Before modern standardization, British sailors calculated distances using the admiralty mile.

Advanced Usage

• "The admiralty mile": When used with the definite article, it specifically refers to this unit as a standard concept.
  • The admiralty mile was crucial for maritime charts in the 19th century.

Variants and Related Words

• Nautical mile (n): A modern international unit of measurement used in air and sea navigation, equal to exactly 1,852 meters. While similar, it is not identical to the historical admiralty mile.
• Sea mile (n): A general term sometimes used interchangeably with nautical mile.

Synonyms

• Nautical mile (historical British): The closest synonym, though the modern international nautical mile is a standardized, slightly different unit.
• Sea mile: A less precise synonym.

Notes on Meaning

• The key distinction of the "admiralty mile" is that it is 800 feet longer than a statute mile (the common land mile of 5,280 feet). This difference was significant for nautical calculations. The term is now largely historical, having been superseded by the international nautical mile.

Noun

1. a former British unit of length equivalent to 6,080 feet (1,853.184 meters); 800 feet longer than a statute mile