Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Admiral
Ad′mi-ral
,Noun.
[OE.
amiral
, admiral
, OF. amiral
, ultimately fr. Ar. amīr-al-bahr
commander of the sea; Ar. amīr
is commander, al
is the Ar. article, and amīr-al
, heard in different titles, was taken as one word. Early forms of the word show confusion with L. admirabilis
admirable, fr. admirari
to admire. It is said to have been introduced into Europe by the Genoese or Venetians, in the 12th or 13th century. Cf. Ameer
, Emir
.] 1.
A naval officer of the highest rank; a naval officer of high rank, of which there are different grades. The chief gradations in rank are admiral, vice admiral, and rear admiral. The admiral is the commander in chief of a fleet or of fleets.
2.
The ship which carries the admiral; also, the most considerable ship of a fleet.
Like some mighty
admiral
, dark and terrible, bearing down upon his antagonist with all his canvas straining to the wind, and all his thunders roaring from his broadsides. E. Everett.
3.
(Zool.)
A handsome butterfly (
Pyrameis Atalanta
) of Europe and America. The larva feeds on nettles. Admiral shell
(Zool.)
, the popular name of an ornamental cone shell (
Conus admiralis
).Lord High Admiral
, a great officer of state, who (when this rare dignity is conferred) is at the head of the naval administration of Great Britain.
Webster 1828 Edition
Admiral
AD'MIRAL
,Noun.
A marine commander in chief; the commander of a fleet or navy.
1.
The Lord High Admiral, in Great Britain, is an officer who superintends all maritime affairs, and has the government of the navy. He has also jurisdiction over all maritime causes, and commissions the naval officers.2.
The Admiral of the fleet, the highest officer under the admiralty. When he embarks on an expedition, the union flag is displayed at the main top gallant mast head.3.
The Vice Admiral, an officer next in rank and command to the Admiral, has command of the second squadron. He carries his flag at the fore top gallant mast head. This name is given also to certain officers who have power to hold courts of vice-admiralty, in various parts of the British dominions.4.
The Rear Admiral, next in rank to the Vice Admiral, has command of the third squadron, and carries his flag at the mizen top gallant mast head.5.
The commander of any single fleet, or in general any flag officer.6.
The ship which carries the admiral; also the most considerable ship of a fleet of merchantmen, or of fishing vessels.7.
In zoology, a species of shell-fish. [See Voluta.]8.
Also a butterfly, which lays her eggs on the great stinging nettle, and delights in brambles.