navy

noun, plural na·vies.

1. the whole body of warships and auxiliaries belonging to a country or ruler.
2. (often initial capital letter) the complete body of such warships together with their officers and enlisted personnel, equipment, yards, etc., constituting the sea power of a nation.
3. (often initial capital letter) the department of government charged with its management.
4. navy blue.
5. Archaic. a fleet of ships.

noun plural -vies

1. the warships and auxiliary vessels of a nation or ruler
2. the navy (often capital) the branch of a country’s armed services comprising such ships, their crews, and all their supporting services and equipment
3. short for navy blue
4. archaic, or literary a fleet of ships
5. (as modifier)a navy custom

n.early 14c., “fleet of ships, especially for purposes of war,” from Old French navie “fleet, ship,” from Latin navigia, plural of navigium “vessel, boat,” from navis “ship” (see naval). Meaning “a nation’s collective, organized sea power” is from 1530s. The Old English words were sciphere (usually of Viking invaders) and scipfierd (usually of the home defenses). Navy blue was the color of the British naval uniform. Navy bean attested from 1856, so called because they were grown to be used by the Navy.