\Cor"vet\ (k?r"v?t), Corvette \Cor*vette"\ (k?r-v?r"), n.
[F. corvette, fr. Pg. corveta or Sp. corbeta, fr. L. corbita
a slow-sailing ship of burden, fr, corbis basket. Cf.
{Corbeil}.] (Naut.)
A war vessel, ranking next below a frigate, and having
usually only one tier of guns; -- called in the United States
navy a sloop of war.