light cruiser
1
7.2
- noun
- /laɪt ˈkruːzər/
- Specialized
:
crucero ligero
- The light cruiser Dublin patrolled the waters, ready to respond to any threats.
- light cruisers and destroyers
- British light cruiser
Examples
-
A pair of old Carrack-class light cruisers swept in from starboard, the Chimaera's TIE fighter screen breaking formation to engage them.
Fiction book (1991) -
They did not encounter any resistance, but a distress call had been sent out and the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney was nearby.
-
Now it was time to meet the weak link of this force: Zsinj's light cruisers.
Fiction book (1999) -
A Unity light cruiser, the Sergeant Jelal, was to pick D'jirar up within the week.
Fiction book (2000) -
Three light cruisers, eight destroyers and Captain Torrey's heavy cruiser.
-
Covering their landings would be Admiral Ainsworth's force of three light cruisers and four destroyers.
-
The fourth wave of five planes came in from the northwest and attacked the seaplane tender Tangier, the target ship Utah, and the light cruisers Raleigh and Detroit.
Academic text (1991) -
During this phase, an estimated total of 15 dive bombers participated in 5 attacks upon the ships in the navy yard: the battleships Maryland, Oklahoma, Nevada, and Pennsylvania, and various light cruisers and destroyers.
Academic text (1991) -
During the naval exercise, the light cruiser showcased its speed and maneuverability.
-
The fleet included several types of vessels, among them a light cruiser equipped with advanced radar.
How Big
- Archaic
68
5.5
- Archaic
5
7.2
- Specialized
1
7.2
- Specialized
62
7.3
- Specialized
7
3.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun phrase is compositionally built from 'light' (less heavy/less strongly armed) modifying 'cruiser' (a type of warship), so its meaning as a smaller or more lightly armed cruiser is directly derivable from the parts. This adjective+noun modification pattern is common across languages and standard in English, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily understand the MWE.
Etymology
The noun light cruiser comes from naming a cruiser that is light, meaning 'smaller and faster' than larger cruisers. Because being 'light' let these ships move quickly to protect and watch other ships, light cruiser now means a smaller, faster warship used to escort and patrol.