capital ship
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A capital ship is a classification for a warship of the first rank in size, armament, and strategic importance. Historically, it refers to the most powerful and heavily armed surface combatants in a navy, central to fleet operations.
Usage
The term is used to describe the principal, most formidable warships in a naval fleet. It is a formal naval classification. * In modern contexts, the term primarily applies to aircraft carriers. * In historical contexts (particularly pre-World War II), it applied to battleships and battlecruisers.
Examples
- The aircraft carrier is considered the capital ship of the modern navy.
- In the age of sail, the ship of the line was the capital ship.
- The admiral deployed his capital ships to form the core of the battle group.
- Protecting the capital ship is the fleet's highest priority during an engagement.
Advanced Usage
- The concept of a capital ship is defined relative to the naval technology and doctrine of its era. What qualifies changes over time.
- The phrase "capital ship navy" refers to a naval force structured around these large, powerful vessels.
Variants and Related Words
- Capital (in this context): Of primary importance; principal. (e.g., uses a different meaning of 'capital'.)
- Warship: A general term for any armed ship used in war.
- Flagship: The ship occupied by the fleet commander, which may or may not be a capital ship.
Synonyms
- Major combatant
- First-rate warship
- Principal warship
Antonyms
- Auxiliary ship
- Support vessel
- Escort vessel (e.g., destroyer, frigate – though modern destroyers are now very powerful, they are typically not classified as capital ships)
Related Phrases
- Fleet in being: A naval theory where a capital ship fleet's existence influences events without actively fighting.
- Dreadnought: A type of early 20th-century capital ship that revolutionized naval design.
Noun
- a warship of the first rank in size and armament