frigate

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A warship or space warship, inspired by one of the many historic varieties of frigate.

   Frigates are light escort and scouting vessels. They often have extensive GARDIAN systems to provide anti-fighter screening for capital ships, and carry a squad of marines for security and groundside duty. Unlike larger vessels, frigates are able to land on planets.

2. 2
   noun

   A frigatebird (Fregata spp.).

   These frigates are all so lazy, that they perch by day on the trees, at the edge of the sea, awaiting the other birds […]

3. 3
   noun

   a United States warship larger than a destroyer and smaller than a cruiser

4. 4
   noun

   a medium size square-rigged warship of the 18th and 19th centuries

5. 5
   noun

   Any of several types of warship:

Etymology

From French frégate, from Italian fregata, of uncertain origin.