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🚢 A large warship 🥪 A big sandwich
three-decker

three-decker

9.9
A large warship with three full decks used in the 1600s to 1800s
  • noun
  • /θriːˈdɛkər/
  • Archaic
translation icon : buque de tres puentes
  • The three-decker ship was a formidable presence in battle during the 18th century.
  • a wooden three-decker

Examples

  • In history class, we learned about the design and function of a three-decker warship.

  • The museum displayed a model of a three-decker ship.

  • Many three-decker ships were the pride of European fleets.

  • The British Navy launched a three-decker that dominated naval battles in the 18th century.

  • The famous HMS Victory was a celebrated three-decker during the Napoleonic Wars.

  • Look at that magnificent three-decker sailing in the harbor!

  • Many naval battles were fought using three-decker ships, which had multiple decks for cannons.

Synonyms

ship of the line
vsthree-decker
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A large warship that fights in the main line of ships in sea battles from the 1600s to the 1800s

is defined by having three complete decks rather than by its battle role

Surface Forms

three-decker singular
three-deckers plural

Morphology

three-decker = three + decker (transparent) = three + decker

Clearly formed from the numeral 'three' plus 'decker' (something with decks); the meaning 'having three decks' is directly inferable.

Etymology

Three-decker comes from the simple parts three and deck, where deck means a ship's 'floor' or 'level'. So a three-decker is a large warship with three full decks, one above the other.