frigate

Nautical, Transport Historical A sailing warship (of any size) built for speed and maneuverability; typically without raised upperworks, having a flush forecastle and tumblehome sides.

Nautical, Transport Historical A sailing warship with a single continuous gun deck, typically used for patrolling and blockading duties, but not considered large enough for the line of battle.

Nautical, Transport Historical A warship combining sail and steam propulsion, typically of ironclad timber construction, supplementing and superseding sailing ships of the line at the beginning of the development of the ironclad battleship.

Nautical, Transport Historical An escort warship, smaller than a destroyer, introduced in World War 2 as an anti-submarine vessel.

Nautical, Transport A modern type of warship, equivalent in size or smaller than a destroyer, often focused on anti-submarine warfare, but sometimes general purpose.