/naw may"kee euh/ , n. , pl. naumachiae /-kee ee'/ , naumachias .
1. a mock sea fight, given as a spectacle among the ancient Romans.
2. a place for presenting such spectacles.
[ 1590-1600; naumachía a sea fight, equiv. to naû ( s ) ship + mách ( e ) battle, fight + -ia -IA ]