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).
Phrases and idioms:
Admiral of the Fleet an admiral of the first grade. Fleet Admiral US Admiral of the Fleet.
Derivatives:
admiralship n.
Etymology: 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