Definition

A type of ancient ship used by the Greeks and Romans, which had three rows of oars on each side for rowing.

Example

The trireme was a powerful vessel in naval battles during ancient times.

Conversation

Have you ever seen a model of a trireme?

No, I haven't! What makes it so special?

It's fascinating how they used to have three tiers of oars for speed.

That sounds really interesting! I’d love to learn more about ancient ships.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Trireme is derived from the Latin 'triremis', which is composed of 'tri-' (meaning three) and 'remus' (meaning oar). The word refers to a type of ancient ship that was propelled by three rows of oars on each side, emphasizing its design and capability for speed and maneuverability.

Memory Tip

Think of a ship with 'three' ('tri-') 'oars' ('remus') on each side, which helps you remember that a trireme is a vessel designed for swift movement using three rows of oars.

Visually Confused Words