Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Corvette
{
Cor′vet
(k?r′v?t)
, Cor-vette′
(k?r-v?r′)
, } Noun.
[F.
corvette
, fr. Pg. corveta
or Sp. corbeta
, fr. L. corbita
a slow-sailing ship of burden, fr, corbis
basket. Cf. Corbeil
.] (Naut.)
A war vessel, ranking next below a frigate, and having usually only one tier of guns; – called in the United States navy a
sloop of war
.