u-boat
/'ju:bout/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A German submarine, especially one used in World War I or World War II: The term "U-boat" specifically refers to a military submarine operated by Germany. The "U" stands for "Unterseeboot," which is German for "undersea boat."
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The Allied convoy was attacked by a U-boat in the North Atlantic.
- Museum exhibits often feature models of famous U-boats from the world wars.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used historically to distinguish German submarines from those of other nations.
- Naval historians study the tactics used by U-boat commanders.
Variants and Related Words
- Unterseeboot (n): The original German word from which "U-boat" is derived.
- Submarine (n): The general term for a watercraft capable of independent operation underwater. A U-boat is a specific type of submarine.
Synonyms
- German submarine: The direct descriptive synonym.
- Unterseeboot: The German term.
Notes on Meaning
- The word "U-boat" is inherently a compound noun (from the German "Unterseeboot"). In English, it is used as a single, fixed term to refer specifically to German military submarines, particularly from the first half of the 20th century. It is not used as a general term for any submarine.
Noun
- a submersible warship usually armed with torpedoes