naumachy Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a naval spectacle; a mock sea battle put on by the ancient Romans
    naumachia.

WordNet

Nau"ma*chy noun
Etymology
L. naumachia, Gr. ship + fight, battle, to fight.
Definitions
  1. A naval battle; esp., a mock sea fight.
  2. (Rom. Antiq.) A show or spectacle representing a sea fight; also, a place for such exhibitions.

Webster 1913