cartel ship

1 definition found

cartel ship - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Cartel \Car*tel"\, n. [F., fr. LL. cartellus a little paper,
     dim. fr. L. charta. See 1st Card.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. (Mil.) An agreement between belligerents for the exchange
        of prisoners. --Wilhelm.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A letter of defiance or challenge; a challenge to single
        combat. [Obs.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
              He is cowed at the very idea of a cartel., --Sir W.
                                                    Scott.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Cartel, or Cartel ship, a ship employed in the exchange
        of prisoners, or in carrying propositions to an enemy; a
        ship beating a flag of truce and privileged from capture.
        [1913 Webster]