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monoreme

monoreme

9.9
An ancient ship with one row of oars on each side
  • noun
  • Archaic
translation icon : monorema
  • Unlike the trireme, the monoreme was simpler in construction and required fewer rowers.

Examples

  • The Greek navy deployed a monoreme in coastal patrol duties during the early classical era.

  • Historians discovered remnants of a monoreme near the ancient harbor.

  • The ancient monoreme glided smoothly across the water.

  • A monoreme was often used in ancient naval battles.

  • The Greek navy deployed a monoreme in coastal patrol duties during the early classical era.

  • Historians discovered remnants of a monoreme near the ancient harbor.

  • A monoreme was often used in ancient naval battles.

How Many

quinquereme
  • Specialized
9.9
trireme
1 9.9
bireme
  • Archaic
9.9
monoreme
  • Archaic
9.9

Surface Forms

monoreme singular
monoremes plural

Morphology

monoreme = mono + reme

The prefix mono- suggests 'single', but the second element is a specialized classical maritime form, so the full meaning is not easily recoverable for an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Monoreme combines the prefix mono- ('one') with the part -reme, from an old word for 'oar' or 'row' and seen in ships called trireme. So a monoreme is literally a ship with a single bank of oars on each side.