Ship of the line Meaning, Definition & Usage
- 
       noun a warship intended for combat
       
       
man-of-war.
 
WordNet
Definitions
- formerly, a ship of war large enough to have a place in the line of battle; a vessel superior to a frigate; usually, a seventy-four, or three-decker;   called also 
line of battle ship .eventually abbreviated to "battleship" Totten. 
Definitions
- .  See under 
Line .