What does “E Navibus Pugnissima” mean?

It appears on my zippo lighter “USS Essex (CV-9)”. I think it is latin. Pls translate into English. Thanks!

1 Answer

  • martox45
    1 month ago

    Spelling is correct and it means ” The greatest battle (fight) from the ships”.

    It’s a motto of the Aircraft Carrier USS ESSEX (CV-9)

    http://www.navsource.org/archives/02/09a.htm

    and the whole meaning is “by taking off from the ships we make the greatest battle”.

    It’s a bit weird Latin since Pugna it’s a noun meaning “battle” and as a rule he shouldn’t be conjugated at the superlative like it would be an adjective. I guess it’s a poetic licence …!!

    Pugnissima is the subject of the sentence and it’s ok at the sing.nominative.

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