from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Naval \Na"val\ (n[=a]"val), a. [L. navalis, fr. navis ship: cf.
F. naval. See {Nave} of a church.]
Having to do with shipping; of or pertaining to ships or a
navy; consisting of ships; as, naval forces, successes,
stores, etc.
[1913 Webster]
{Naval brigade}, a body of seamen or marines organized for
military service on land.
{Naval officer}.
(a) An officer in the navy.
(b) A high officer in some United States customhouses.
{Naval tactics}, the science of managing or maneuvering
vessels sailing in squadrons or fleets.
[1913 Webster]
Syn: Nautical; marine; maritime.
Usage: {Naval}, {Nautical}. Naval is applied to vessels, or a
navy, or the things which pertain to them or in which
they participate; nautical, to seamen and the art of
navigation. Hence we speak of a naval, as opposed to a
military, engagement; naval equipments or stores, a
naval triumph, a naval officer, etc., and of nautical
pursuits or instruction, nautical calculations, a
nautical almanac, etc.
[1913 Webster]