. (Nav.) A man-of-war carrying a large coal supply, and more or less protected from the enemy's shot by iron or steel armor. There is no distinct and accepted classification distinguishing armored and protected cruisers from each other, except that the first have more or heavier armor than the second. [ Archaic ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]
n. See Cruse, a small bottle. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. i.
☞ A ship cruises in any particular sea or ocean; as, in the Baltic or in the Atlantic. She cruises off any cape; as, off the Lizard; off Ushant. She cruises on a coast; as, on the coast of Africa. A pirate cruises to seize vessels; a yacht cruises for the pleasure of the owner. [ 1913 Webster ]
Ships of war were sent to cruise near the isle of Bute. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]
'Mid sands, and rocks, and storms to cruise for pleasure. Young. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t.
n.
He feigned a compliance with some of his men, who were bent upon going a cruise to Manilla. Dampier. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. One who, or a vessel that, cruises;