caravel

A small caravel sails across the ocean under full white sails.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small, fast sailing ship: A "caravel" is a small, highly maneuverable sailing ship developed in the 15th century by the Portuguese. It was used for long voyages of exploration, especially by Spanish and Portuguese explorers during the Age of Discovery.

Usage Examples

• (A small, fast ship used for exploration.)
• (A ship type crucial for maritime exploration.)

Advanced Usage

• "Caravel of the age of sail": A historical term referring to the ship's role in early modern exploration.

  • The caravel of the age of sail was a technological marvel for its time. (A ship that revolutionized long-distance sea travel.)

• "Caravel vs. carrack": A comparative term used in maritime history to distinguish between ship types.

  • Unlike the larger carrack, the caravel was lighter and faster. (A comparison of ship designs.)

Variants and Related Words

• Caravela (n): The Portuguese name for a caravel.

  • The caravela was a key innovation in Portuguese shipbuilding. (The original term for the ship type.)

• Caravel (adj): Used as an attributive noun to describe related objects.

  • The caravel design influenced later shipbuilding. (Referring to the ship's design.)

Synonyms

• Sailing ship: a general term for a ship propelled by sails.
• Exploration vessel: a ship used for discovering new lands.

Related Idioms

• No direct idioms: The word "caravel" is a specific historical term and does not appear in common idiomatic expressions.

Phrasal Verbs

• No phrasal verbs: "Caravel" is a noun and does not form phrasal verbs.