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Glite Dictionary
minesweeper

minesweeper

2 7.1
A ship that finds and removes mines in the sea
  • noun
  • /ˈmaɪnˌswiːpər/
  • Specialized
: cazaminas
  • I was an 18-year-old radar operator on the USS Rebel, a minesweeper in both engagements.
  • send the minesweeper
  • converted minesweeper
  • minesweepers and patrol boats

Examples

  • The USS Caine is a minesweeper that helps keep shipping lanes safe.

  • Nelson joined the Navy and was named skipper of his own ship, a minesweeper, though before the war he had never served.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • The USS Caine is a minesweeper.

    The Caine Mutiny (1954)

  • The British component consists of four British minesweepers and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Cardigan Bay, a logistics vessel.

    Blog text (12)

  • He paused momentarily, then added, "Send the minesweeper Guangzou from present position northwest and secure the north and northeast axis."

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Britain has sent support ships, and three minesweepers are en route to clear the waters.

  • In the treacherous waters of the northern Persian Gulf, allied minesweepers search for underwater explosives.

How Specialized

minesweeper
  • Specialized
2 7.1
patrol boat
  • Specialized
8 3.5
warship
91 3.6

Surface Forms

minesweeper singular
minesweepers plural

Morphology

minesweeper = mine + sweeper (transparent) = mine + sweep + er

The compound 'mine' + 'sweeper' is directly interpretable as an agent/device that 'sweeps' mines; the derivation is regular and predictable.

Etymology

The word minesweeper breaks into mine, meaning 'an explosive hidden in the water', and sweeper, meaning 'one who sweeps or clears'. So a minesweeper is a ship that 'sweeps' mines from the sea to keep routes safe.