corvette
n. countable C2 Proficiency US //kɔɹˈvɛt// UK //kɔːvˈɛt// corvette
n. a small, fast ship used by a navy. It is usually smaller than a frigate and is used to protect other ships.
n. a small, highly manoeuvrable, lightly armed warship, typically smaller than a frigate. In modern naval contexts, it refers to a vessel designed for coastal defence or escort duties.
The navy sent a corvette to patrol the coast.
During the war, the corvette played a vital role in escorting merchant ships across the dangerous waters of the Atlantic.
Modern naval strategy often employs the corvette as a versatile platform for anti-submarine warfare and surface-to-air defence in littoral zones where larger destroyers might be at risk.
Unadapted borrowing from French corvette.