Galliass

/ɡæˈliːæs/ noun

Definition

A large, heavily-armed sailing ship of the 16th and 17th centuries, combining features of the galley and the galleon, with both oars and sails.

Etymology

From French 'galiasse' or Italian 'galeazza,' likely a blend of 'galley' and other ship terminology. The term reflects the transitional naval technology of the Renaissance.

Kelly Says

Galliasses were the hybrid vehicles of the Renaissance seas—they tried to combine the maneuverability of galleys with the firepower of galleons, and they were used in famous battles like Lepanto!

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