in naval affairs, a ship of war usually of two decks, light built, designed for swift sailing. When it hath but one deck, and consequently is of a smaller size, they call her a light frigate.

Frigates mount from 20 to 44 guns, and are esteemed excellent cruisers. The name was formerly known only in the Mediterranean, and applied to a long kind of vessel navigated in that sea with sails and oars. The English were the first who appeared on the ocean with these ships, and equipped them for war as well as for commerce.