\Ad"mi*ral*ty\, n.; pl. {Admiralties}. [F.
amiraut['e], for an older amiralt['e], office of admiral, fr.
LL. admiralitas. See {Admiral}.]
1. The office or jurisdiction of an admiral. --Prescott.
2. The department or officers having authority over naval
   affairs generally.
3. The court which has jurisdiction of maritime questions and
   offenses.
Note: In England, admiralty jurisdiction was formerly vested
      in the High Court of Admiralty, which was held before
      the Lord High Admiral, or his deputy, styled the Judge
      of the Admiralty; but admiralty jurisdiction is now
      vested in the probate, divorce, and admiralty division
      of the High Justice. In America, there are no admiralty
      courts distinct from others, but admiralty jurisdiction
      is vested in the district courts of the United States,
      subject to revision by the circuit courts and the
      Supreme Court of the United States. Admiralty
      jurisprudence has cognizance of maritime contracts and
      torts, collisions at sea, cases of prize in war, etc.,
      and in America, admiralty jurisdiction is extended to
      such matters, arising out of the navigation of any of
      the public waters, as the Great Lakes and rivers.
4. The system of jurisprudence of admiralty courts.
5. The building in which the lords of the admiralty, in
   England, transact business.