[It., Sp. and Pg. capitana in same sense, prop. adj., fem. of capitan, -o, qualifying nave ‘ship’ or other word.] The chief or admiral’s ship.
1684. Lond. Gaz., No. 1988/1. The Capitana of the Gallies of Naples … was in a great storm cast away.
1728. Morgan, Algiers, II. v. 315. Algiers lost … their Capitana, or Admiral.
1843. Prescott, Mexico, II. iv. (1864), 87. Orders were given … to take the direction of the capitana or admiral’s ship.
