fleet
fleet
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "fleet" depends on the dialect:
British English (Received Pronunciation):
IPA: /fliːt/
Sounds by syllable:
/fl/ - blend of consonant sounds "f" and "l"
/iː/ - long "ee" sound
American English (General American):
IPA: /flit/
Sounds by syllable:
/fl/ - blend of consonant sounds "f" and "l"
/ɪ/ - short "i" sound
/t/ - "t" sound
Word Form Variations
"Fleet" primarily functions as a noun, so it doesn't have variations for singular and plural. It refers to a collection of vehicles, typically for transportation or warfare.
Here's what you can consider:
Noun: Fleet (This is the standard form)
Adjective: In rare cases, "fleet" can be used as an adjective to describe something that is swift or moves quickly. (e.g., "She was a fleet-footed dancer.") In this case, it wouldn't have a plural form either.
Derived Forms:
Fleet-footed (adjective): As mentioned above, this describes someone who is light and quick on their feet.
Fleeting (adjective): This describes something that is short-lived or temporary. This form comes from an older meaning of "fleet" related to swiftness.
There are no verb conjugations for "fleet" in modern English.
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Noun:
A large group of ships, aeroplanes, or vehicles under common ownership or control. (Most common meaning)
Synonyms: armada (for ships), squadron (for military aircraft), flotilla (for small ships), convoy (for ships travelling together), motor pool (for land vehicles)
Antonyms: single vessel, individual vehicle
A large group of warships, especially under a single command. (Military context)
Synonyms: navy, flotilla (for smaller fleets)
Antonyms: single warship, individual vessel
Adjective (Less common):
Swift or moving quickly.
Synonyms: nimble, agile, speedy, brisk
Antonyms: slow, sluggish, lumbering
Note: The verb form "to fleet" is not commonly used in modern English.
Examples of Use
Noun (Most Common Meaning):
News Article: "The airline announced plans to modernise its ageing fleet of aeroplanes." (The New York Times) [News source]
Online Publication: "Delivery companies are investing in electric vehicles to green their delivery fleets." (TechCrunch) [Online publication]
Book: "The pirate captain surveyed his motley fleet of ships before setting sail." (Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson) [Book]
Movie: "In Star Wars, the Rebel Alliance relies on a small but agile fleet to challenge the vast Imperial forces." (Star Wars franchise) [Movie]
General Public Discourse: "The local bus fleet needs an upgrade to better serve the growing community." (Conversation between citizens)
Noun (Military Context):
Historical Document: "Queen Elizabeth I's fleet defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588." (Historical account)
Newspaper Headline: "The US Navy deploys its Pacific Fleet to conduct joint exercises with allies." (Washington Post) [News source]
War Documentary: "The documentary explores the strategies used by the German U-boat fleet during World War II." (Documentary film)
Adjective (Less Common):
Poem: "The fleet-footed gazelle leaped across the plains, escaping the hungry lion." (Nature poem)
Literature: "The knight was known for his fleet swordsmanship, defeating his opponents with swiftness and skill." (Fantasy novel)
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Fleet
Unfortunately, there aren't many famous quotes that directly use "fleet" in the way it's most commonly understood (a group of ships or vehicles). Here are some quotes that use "fleet" in different contexts, along with a brief explanation:
"The fleet returns. The great emblem recovered." (Thomas Carlyle, historian, referring to a symbolic victory)
"It felt only as a man can feel who is roaming over the prairies of the far West, well armed, and mounted on a fleet and gallant steed." (Richard Burton, explorer, using "fleet" to describe a horse)
"The man must have a rare recipe for melancholy, who can be dull in Fleet Street." (Samuel Johnson, writer, referencing Fleet Street, a historically bustling London street)
"Buonaparte has often made his boast that our fleet would be worn out by keeping the sea..." (Horatio Nelson, military leader, about the endurance of the British navy)
"Never tell anyone outside my staff that the Submarine Force and the First Air Fleet were responsible for the failure at Midway." (Yamamoto Isoroku, military leader, referring to a specific air fleet)
"We have met the enemy and they are ours..." (Oliver Hazard Perry, military leader, though "fleet" isn't directly mentioned, it's implied)
"Damn the torpedoes, Full speed ahead!" (David Glasgow Farragut, military leader, though "fleet" isn't mentioned, it's the context)
"Dose of Motivation: 52 Inspirational Quotes About Success by Influential CEOs" (Quote collection title, "fleet" used metaphorically for a group of companies)
"Opportunity comes like a snail, and once it has passed you it changes into a fleet rabbit and is gone." (Quote found on Pinterest, metaphorical use)
"If we are to have a war with America, we will have no hope of winning unless the U.S. fleet in Hawaiian waters can be destroyed." (Quote about a planned attack, "fleet" in its military sense)
Etymology
The word "fleet" comes from a very old idea – things that float on water. Way back in history, people spoke a language called Proto-Germanic. In that language, they had a word "*fleutan" which meant "to float." This word is like the great-great-great-grandparent of the English word "fleet."
Over time, languages change and words branch out. English is a descendant of Proto-Germanic, and the word "*fleutan" became "fleotan" in Old English. This word also meant "to float," but it could also refer to the thing that's floating – a ship or a boat.
So, the first meaning of "fleet" was literally all about things that could stay on top of the water. Over time, the meaning expanded to include any group of vehicles, not just ships. Now we can talk about a fleet of cars, trucks, or even aeroplanes!
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Fleet
At full fleet/tilt/pelt: This means moving at the fastest possible speed. (e.g., "The police car chased the suspect at full tilt.")
Fleet-footed: Describes someone who is light and quick on their feet. (e.g., "The ballerina was a fleet-footed dancer.")
Fleeting: This describes something that is short-lived or temporary. (e.g., "The feeling of joy was fleeting.")
Less common phrases:
In fleet: This means quickly or promptly (somewhat archaic). (e.g., "The knight responded in fleet.")
To join the fleet: This can refer to someone enlisting in the navy or becoming part of a large group (informal). (e.g., "After graduation, she joined the tech fleet at a Silicon Valley startup.")
Posts Related to Fleet
Source Information
Definition of fleet from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
