Frigate

frig′āt, n. in the Royal Navy, formerly a ve el in the cla next to ships of the line, carrying 28 to 60 guns on the main deck and a raised quarter-deck and forecastle—not now denoting a distinct cla of ve els.— ns. Frig′ate-bird , a large tropical sea-bird, with very long wings; Frigatoon′ , a small Venetian ve el with square stern and two masts. [O. Fr. fregate —It. fregata ; ety. dub.]