/frig"it/ , n.
1. a fast naval vessel of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, generally having a lofty ship rig and heavily armed on one or two decks.
2. any of various types of modern naval vessels ranging in size from a destroyer escort to a cruiser, frequently armed with guided missiles and used for aircraft carrier escort duty, shore bombardment, and miscellaneous combat functions.
[ 1575-85; frégate fregata, Sicilian fragata ( > Sp, Catalan, Pg); of obscure orig. ]