n. 1 a the commander-in-chief of a country's navy. b a naval officer of high rank, the commander of a fleet or squadron. c (Admiral) an admiral of the second grade. 2 any of various butterflies (red admiral; white admiral). Admiral of the Fleet an admiral of the first grade. Fleet Admiral US = Admiral of the Fleet. admiralship n.
[ ME f. OF a(d)mira(i)l etc. f. med.L a(d)miralis etc., f. Arab. ' amir commander (cf. AMIR), assoc. with ADMIRABLE ]