line of battle

a line formed by troops or ships for delivering or receiving an attack.

Words nearby line of battle

In line-of-battle ships it is generally placed on the fife-rail in the centre and foremost part of the poop.

The Sailor's Word-Book |William Henry Smyth
The Admiral pointed out that a battle might easily be lost by the absence of a line-of-battle ship.

Drake, Nelson and Napoleon |Walter Runciman
During this year, the "Washington," the first American line-of-battle ship put to sea with seventy-four guns on her decks.

A History of the Nineteenth Century, Year by Year |Edwin Emerson
The two line-of-battle ships and one of the frigates were afterwards captured by a British squadron.

At Aboukir and Acre |George Alfred Henty

It is supposed that they belonged to a line-of-battle —-—File: 159.

Little Folks (November 1884) |Various

line of battle

a formation adopted by a military or naval force when preparing for action