admiral
UK: ˈædmərəl | US: ˈædmərəl
n. a high-ranking naval officer, typically the commander of a fleet or squadron.
n. (historical) a title for a commander of a naval force, derived from Arabic origins.
The word "admiral" traces back to the Arabic phrase amīr al- (أمير الـ), meaning "commander of the." It entered medieval Latin as amiralis and Old French as amiral, referring to Muslim naval leaders during the Crusades. Over time, the initial "a" was mistakenly reanalyzed as part of the English article "an," leading to the spelling "admiral." The term evolved to denote high-ranking naval officers in European fleets, retaining its core association with maritime command.
The admiral directed the fleet to retreat.
She became the first female admiral in the navy’s history.
Medieval admirals often commanded trade routes in the Mediterranean.
The title "admiral" reflects centuries of cross-cultural military exchange.
He was promoted to admiral after decades of distinguished service.