Armada… This word is associated with something majestic, invincible, victorious. Not without reason, in terms of sound, it rhymes perfectly with “mass” and “brigade”, but in meaning it is close to everything related to military affairs, offensive, weapons. Surprisingly, Dahl's dictionary does not even have a clear definition of the armada, the corresponding page refers the reader to familiarize himself with the description of the noun "army".
Semantic meaning of the word
What is an armada? In modern Russian, this term, which is of Spanish origin, means a large number of naval, land or air equipment operating in concert, obeying a single command.
The word is often found in works of fiction when describing a powerful military corps, when the exact number of tanks, ships or aircraft included in its composition is unknown. It is worth noting that this term does not always have a positive meaning. Armada in the novel of the same name by the writer Alexei Skver about the order that prevailed in the Russian army in the 90s, is represented by a soulless and merciless monster that suppresses the human dignity of soldiers andofficers.
Where and when did the first armada appear
In 1588, the Spanish king Philip II, being at war with England, equipped a fleet of more than 100 units of rowing and sailing ships, intending to deliver the final blow to the enemy. A large formation of warships was called the "invincible armada." This was supposed to be a symbol of triumph, as the proud monarch hoped for inevitable success when going to the shores of Foggy Albion.
However, Philip's plans were not destined to come true. The bulk of his mighty but clumsy fleet was unable to withstand the light, maneuverable English ships, which caused a crushing defeat. The surviving ships on the way home got into a severe storm, many crashed on the rocks, some sank.
A sad historical fact has served to cause the phrase "invincible armada" to be used with ironic overtones. So they say not only about the troops that lost the battle, but also about the associations of people who declared their grandiose intentions and failed to cope with the tasks set.
Armada as a proper name
Today there are many foreign and domestic companies whose names contain the word "armada". These are construction enterprises, and information publishing houses, and agro-industrial complexes, and shopping centers.
For example, the Dutch record label that releases music CDs is called Armada Music. Russian company specializing indevelopment of IT-technologies and software, registered under the Armada brand. This name is given to cinemas, parks, entertainment venues, consumer service stores, emphasizing the reliability of their work.
In many cities around the world you can find signs belonging to various companies, which depict a beautiful and sonorous word that came to us from medieval Spain.
