pirate Hear it!

pirate definition

pi·rate (rət)

noun

  1. a person who practices piracy; esp., a robber of ships on the high seas
  2. a ship used by pirates in attacking other vessels
  3. one who engages in the illegal recording, transmission, or reception of radio or TV broadcasts

Etymology: ME < L pirata < Gr peiratēs < peirān, to attempt, attack < IE base *per-, to bring through, penetrate > fare

transitive verb, intransitive verb pirated -·rated, pirating -·rat·ing

  1. to practice piracy (upon)
  2. to take (something) by piracy
  3. to publish, reproduce, or make use of without authorization (a literary work, musical recording, videotape, etc.), esp. in violation of a copyright

Related Forms:

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