caravel Hear it!

caravel definition

cara·vel (kar′ə vel′)

noun

any of several kinds of fast, small sailing ships, esp. one with a narrow, high poop and lateen sails, used by the Spaniards and Portuguese in the 15th and 16th cent.

Etymology: MFr < Port caravela, dim. of caravo, small vessel < LL carabus, small wicker boat covered with leather < L, kind of crab < Gr karabos

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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