pirate
noun /ˈpaɪrət/
/ˈpaɪrət/
- (especially in the past) a person on a ship who attacks other ships at sea in order to steal from them
- There were reports that a pirate ship had come looking for treasure in the cove.
- (often used as an adjective) a person who makes illegal copies of books, computer programs, etc., in order to sell them
- a pirate edition
- software pirates
- (often used as an adjective) a person or an organization that broadcasts illegally
- a pirate radio station
see also piracy
Word OriginMiddle English: from Latin pirata, from Greek peiratēs, from peirein ‘to attempt, attack’ (from peira ‘an attempt’).