Letters Of Marque Definition

noun
A document issued by a government in a time of war allowing private ships to attack the ships and seize the property and citizens of a hostile nation.
American Heritage
A former government document authorizing an individual to make reprisals on the subjects of an enemy nation, specif. to arm a ship and capture enemy merchant ships and cargo.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:

Origin of Letters Of Marque

  • Middle English letters of mark from Old French marque mark, seizure, reprisal marquetry

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Letters Of Marque Sentence Examples

  • Escaping to South America in 1836, he was given letters of marque by the state of Rio Grande do Sul, which had revolted against Brazil.

  • In 1569 William in his capacity as sovereign prince of Orange issued letters-of-marque to a number of vessels to prey upon the Spanish commerce in the narrow seas.

  • Three ships were sent out under letters of marque commanded by David, Lewis and Thomas Kirke, and Quebec, already on the verge of starvation, was compelled to surrender (1629).

  • On the 23rd of March 1776 Congress did indeed issue letters of marque and reprisal, and efforts were made to fit out a national force.

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Words Starting With

LLELET

Words Ending With

EUEQUE

Unscrambles

letters of marque

Words Starting With L and Ending With E

Starts With L & Ends With EStarts With LE & Ends With EStarts With L & Ends With UE

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