1580s, from Middle French frégate (1520s), from Italian fregata (Neapolitan fregate), which with many names for types of sea vessels is of unknown origin. It is common to the Mediterranean languages (Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan fragata). Originally a small, swift vessel; the word was applied to progressively larger types over the years.
[A] light nimble vessel built for speed; employed in particular for the gleaning of intelligence and the protection and assault of trade-routes. In battle the frigates took station on the disengaged side of the fleet, where they repeated signals, sped on messages, and succoured the distressed. [Sir Geoffrey Callender, "Sea Passages," 1943]
In the old sailing navy usually they carried guns on a raised quarter-deck and forecastle, hence frigate-built (1650s) of a vessel having the quarter-deck and forecastle raised above the main-deck.
雙語例句
1. An enemy frigate bore down on the sloop.
一艘敵驅(qū)逐艦向這只護航艦逼過來.
來自《簡明英漢詞典》
2. I declare we could fight frigate.
我敢說我們簡直可以和一艘戰(zhàn)艦交戰(zhàn).
來自英漢文學 - 金銀島
3. The frigate is on the stocks in a British yard.
那艘護航艦現(xiàn)在一家英國造船廠中建造.
來自辭典例句
4. The frigate made for the open sea.
那艘巡防艦開向大海.
來自辭典例句
5. For God's sakes, order that frigate to break off!