Pirate

(45), n. [Lat. pirata, Gr. πειρατής, from πειρᾶν, to attempt, undertake, from making attempts or attacks on ships; It. & Sp. pirata, Fr. pirate.]

1Sense 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.

2Sense 2. An armed ship or vessel which sails without a legal commission, for the purpose of plundering other vessels on the high seas.

3Sense 3. One who infringes the law of copyright, or publishes the writings of other men without permission. Johnson.

[imp. & p. p. PIRATED; p. pr. & vb. n. PIRATING.] [Fr. pirater, Sp. piratear.] To practice robbery on the high seas. Arbuthnot.