Admiral

(ad'me-ral.) [Fr. amiral.] (Nav.) A superior naval officer, who has the same power and authority over the maritime forces of a state that a general has over its land forces. By Act of Congre , July 25, 1866, the active general officers in the U. S. navy have been organized as follows: 1 admiral, equal in rank to general-in-chief; 1 vice-admiral, ranking with lieutenant general; and 10 rear-admirals, ranking with major-general. [s. 9]