fireship

Definition

A wooden ship set alight and then sent floating into an enemy flotilla, with the aim of spreading the fire among them.

Etymology

From fire + ship.

Example Sentences

• "Fireships were famously used by Sir Francis Drake when fighting the Spanish Armada of 1588."
• "His attempt in 208 to cross the Yangtse was frustrated in the famous battle of Ch'ih-pi, in which his immense fleet was destroyed by his enemies' fireships, and most of his army slain."

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