No problem!

 Generally, frigates were in the middling class of warships --In between the lightly armed sloops and privateers that took merchant ships and terrorized shipping, and the slow, heavily armed ships-of-the-line that dished it out in line combat. Frigates usually operated independently or in small squadrons, often acting as patrol ships, scouts ahead of the combat line, or as merchant raiders. They were the most versatile warship of the day, and probably the first example of a multi-role military unit. Hope that clarifies their role somewhat.