pirate

Definition

A criminal who plunders at sea; commonly attacking merchant vessels, though often pillaging port towns.

Etymology

From Middle English pirate, pirat, pyrat, from Old French pirate, from Latin pīrāta (“pirate”), from Ancient Greek πειρατής (peiratḗs), from πεῖρα (peîra, “trial, attempt, plot”). Displaced native Old English wīċing, which was the word for both "pirate" and "viking".

Example Sentences

• "You should be cautious due to the Somali pirates."
• "The third day out a pirate (Terebinthian by her rig) overhauled us, but when she saw us well armed she stood off after some shooting of arrows on either part—"
• "And Gnutella, Freenet and other pirate tools will offer plunderings beyond Fanning's fantasies."

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