anti-ship
|an-ti-ship|
/ˌæntiˈʃɪp/
against ships / for attacking ships
Etymology
'anti-ship' originates from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against') combined with the English word 'ship' (from Old English 'scip' meaning 'ship' or 'boat').
'anti-' is derived from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against'; 'ship' changed from Old English 'scip' through Middle English into modern English 'ship', and the compound 'anti-ship' developed in modern English usage to describe measures or weapons directed against ships.
Initially it literally meant 'against ship(s)', but over time it has come to specifically denote weapons, tactics, or characteristics intended to attack or defend against surface ships (e.g., 'anti-ship missile').
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a weapon or weapon type intended to attack ships, commonly used to refer to an anti-ship missile or similar anti-surface-ship armament.
The convoy was targeted by an anti-ship missile.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
designed to attack or destroy ships; relating to weapons, tactics, or measures intended against surface ships (e.g., anti-ship missiles, anti-ship warfare).
The navy upgraded its anti-ship defenses.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/22 05:38