armada, armado

[Sp. armada = a war fleet as contradistinguished from flota a fleet of merchant ve els; Lat. arm a = arms. From Spanish, armada has pa ed into German, French, ., and is = Ital. armata = a navy, a fleet.] (1.) Spec.: The celebrated fleet, called at first, by anticipation, "The 'Invincible' Spanish armada," which was sent in 1588 to a ail England, but which, utterly failing in its object, and coming to a tragic and inglorious end, was latterly known simply as the "Spanish armada," the word "invincible" being dropped. "They melt into thy yeast of waves, which mar Alike the Armada's pride or spoils of Trafalgar." Byron: Childe Harold, iv. 181. Hence (2.) Gen. Any war fleet. "So by a roaring tempest on the flood A whole armado of convicted sail Is scatter'd and disjoin'd from fellowship." Shakesp.: King John, iii. 4. We will not leave, For them that triumph, those who grieve, With that armada gay." Scott : Lord of the Isles, 1. 17. ar-ma-dil-la, s. [In Fr. armadille; from Sp. armadilla , dim in. of armada.] A small armada.