navy

Meanings

Noun

• A country's entire sea force, including ships and personnel.
• A governmental department in charge of a country's sea force.
• A dark blue colour, usually called navy blue.

Adjective

• Having the dark blue colour of navy blue.
• Belonging to the navy; typical of the navy.

Origin

• From Middle English nave, navye, from Anglo-Norman, Old French navie, from Latin nāvigia < nāvigium, from Latin nāvigō, nāvis, from Proto-Indo-European *néh₂us. Compare Ancient Greek ναῦς ("ship"), Persian ناو ("boat, warship"), Sanskrit नाव ("ship"), Old English nōwend ("mariner, sailor").