Wooden sailing ships in the British navy were classified into several categories:

  • First-rate - carrying 100 or more guns
  • Second-rate - 90 to 100 guns
  • Third-rate - 80-84 guns
  • Fourth-rate - 60-74 guns
  • Fifth-rate - 32-40 guns
  • Sixth-rate - less than 32 guns

Ships were also classified by the number of masts, decks, and the style of rigging.

First"-rate` (?), a.

Of the highest excellence; preeminent in quality, size, or estimation.

Our only first-rate body of contemporary poetry is the German. M. Arnold.

Hermocrates . . . a man of first-rate ability. Jowett (Thucyd).

 

© Webster 1913.


First"-rate`, n. Naut.

A war vessel of the highest grade or the most powerful class.

 

© Webster 1913.

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