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Admiral facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

An Admiral is the highest rank a person can reach in a navy. Navies are the part of a country's military that operates on the sea. Many countries around the world use the title "Admiral" for their top naval leaders.

The word "Admiral" has an interesting history! It comes from the Arabic word emīr, which means "commander." Over time, this word traveled through Old French and Latin before it became "Admiral" in English.

Types of Admirals and Related Terms

There are a few different types of Admiral ranks, each with its own special meaning:

  • Admiral of the Fleet: This was originally the Admiral in charge of a whole group of ships called a fleet. Today, it's often a very senior rank given to Admirals who have served for a long time or done something very important.
  • Vice-Admiral: This rank is one step below a full Admiral. They often help the Admiral and can take charge if the Admiral isn't there.
  • Rear-Admiral: This rank is two steps below a full Admiral. They usually command smaller groups of ships or specific parts of the navy.

Admiralty and Admiralty Board

  • Admiralty: This word can also mean the department of government that manages a country's navy. It's like the office that makes sure the navy runs smoothly.
  • Admiralty Board: In countries like the UK, this is a special committee within the Ministry of Defence. They make important decisions about the navy.

Admiral Butterfly

Did you know "Admiral" can also refer to a type of butterfly? The Admiral butterfly is known for its bright colors. It belongs to the Nymphalid family of butterflies. This meaning is completely separate from the naval rank!

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Almirante para niños

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