Definition of pirate

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< pirarucu

pirate perch >

pi·rate    (prt) KEY 

NOUN:

1. 1. One who robs at sea or plunders the land from the sea without commission from a sovereign nation.
   2. A ship used for this purpose.
2. One who preys on others; a plunderer.
3. One who makes use of or reproduces the work of another without authorization.
4. One that operates an unlicensed, illegal television or radio station.

VERB:
pi·rat·ed, pi·rat·ing, pi·rates
VERB:
tr.

1. To attack and rob (a ship at sea).
2. To take (something) by piracy.
3. To make use of or reproduce (another's work) without authorization.

VERB:
intr.

To act as a pirate; practice piracy.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French, from Latin prta, from Greek peirts, from peirn, to attempt, from peira, trial; see per-³ in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
pi·ratic  (p-rtk) KEY  or pi·rati·cal  (--kl) KEY (Adjective), pi·rati·cal·ly(Adverb)