corvette meaning: definition, etymology

corvette

nounalso spelled Corvette

/kɔːɹˈvɛt/

Etymology Unadapted borrowing from French corvette.

Nautical, Transport Historical A flush-decked warship of the 17th-18th centuries having a single tier of guns; it ranked next below a frigate; – called in the United States navy a sloop of war.

Nautical, Transport In a modern navy, a lightly armed and armoured blue water warship, smaller than a frigate, capable of transoceanic duty.

Literature, Media, Nautical, Publishing, Science fiction, Transport Broadly A starship of comparable role

Derived terms: Corvette, corvette captain, corvette lieutenant

Corvette

noun

Etymology From corvette (“a small, manoeuvrable warship”).

A type of sports car, manufactured by Chevrolet from 1953 to present.

Synonyms: Vette