Nā'val, a.

a. [Fr. & Sp. naval, It. navale, Lat. navalis, from navis, ship, Gr. ναῦς.] Having to do with ships; pertaining to ships or a navy; consisting of ships; as, naval forces, successes, stores, &c.

Naval officer (U. S. custom-house), an officer who assists the collector in collecting the customs on merchandise imported.

Synonyms—Nautical; marine; maritime.—NAVAL, NAUTICAL. Naval is applied to ships or a navy; nautical, to seamen and the art of navigation. Hence we speak of a naval, as opposed to a military, engagement; naval equipments or stores, a naval triumph, a naval officer, &c., and of nautical pursuits or instruction, nautical calculations, a nautical almanac, &c. “Virgil would insinuate, I suppose, the great advantages of cultivating a naval power, such as extended commerce and the dominion of the ocean.” Jortin. “He elegantly showed by whom he was drawn, which depainted the nautical compass.” Camden.