Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Pirate?

\Pi"rate\, n. [L. pirata, Gr. ?, fr. ? to attempt, undertake, from making attempts or attacks on ships, ? an attempt, trial; akin to E. peril: cf. F. pirate. See {Peril}.] 1. A robber on the high seas; one who by open violence takes the property of another on the high seas; especially, one who makes it his business to cruise for robbery or plunder; a freebooter on the seas; also, one who steals in a harbor. 2. An armed ship or vessel which sails without a legal commission, for the purpose of plundering other vessels on the high seas. 3. One who infringes the law of copyright, or publishes the work of an author without permission. {Pirate perch} (Zo["o]l.), a fresh-water percoid fish of the United States ({Aphredoderus Sayanus}). It is of a dark olive color, speckled with blackish spots.
\Pi"rate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Pirated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Pirating}.] [Cf. F. pirater.] To play the pirate; to practice robbery on the high seas.
\Pi"rate\, v. t. To publish, as books or writings, without the permission of the author. They advertised they would pirate his edition. --Pope.