Man-of-war

Man-of-war Man`-of-war", n; pl. {Men-of-war}. 1. A government vessel employed for the purposes of war, esp. one of large size; a ship of war. [WordNet sense 1]

Syn: ship of the line. [1913 Webster]

2. The {Portuguese man-of-war}.

Syn: Syn. --, jellyfish. [WordNet 1.5]

{Man-of-war hawk} (Zo["o]l.), the frigate bird.

{Man-of-war's man}, a sailor serving in a ship of war.

{Portuguese man-of-war} (Zo["o]l.), any species of the genus {Physalia}; it is a hydrozoan having both medusa and polyp stages present in a single colony. It floats on the surface of the sea by a buoyant bladderlike structure, from which dangle multiple long tentacles with stinging cells. Its can cause severe rashes when it comes in contact with humans swimming in the area. See {Physalia}. [1913 Webster]