armada

 
Pronunciation: /ɑːˈmɑːdə/

noun

  • a fleet of warships.
  • (the Armada or the Spanish Armada) a Spanish naval invasion force sent against England in 1588 by Philip II of Spain. It was defeated by the English fleet and almost completely destroyed by storms off the Hebrides.

Origin:

mid 16th century: from Spanish, from armata, feminine past participle of Latin armare 'to arm'