| pirate | 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. <zoology> Pirate perch, a fresh water percoid fish of the United States (Aphredoderus Sayanus). It is of a dark olive colour, speckled with blackish spots. Origin: 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. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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