A fast, medium-sized sailing warship used by navies from the 1600s through the 1800s, designed for speed and maneuverability.
From French 'frégate,' possibly from Italian 'fregata' or Arabic 'farīqah,' the word entered European languages in the 16th century to describe a new type of naval vessel that became crucial in maritime warfare.
Frigates were the perfect balance of power and speed in naval history—fast enough to hunt enemy merchant ships but tough enough to fight other warships, making them the most versatile weapon of the age of sail.
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