Designating something which is of a different shape or size from that usual for its kind. Designating a kind of warship or galley. Cf. sense A. 6. Obs…

Of or relating to a battleship designed and built in a style that predates the introduction of H.M.S. Dreadnought in 1906 (see dreadnought, n. 1b).

Of a warship: armoured and equipped as the class named, but smaller in size. Chiefly in pocket battleship. Also in extended use.

designating a naval vessel or group of vessels equipped to locate and destroy enemy vessels, esp. submarines. Also as n.