privateer
privateer Lexical Profile
privateer Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The commander or a crew member of a privately owned armed ship commissioned by a government to attack and capture enemy vessels during wartime.
"The famous sea captain operated as a licensed privateer for the crown before retiring to his coastal estate."
A privately owned and armed vessel commissioned by a government via a letter of marque to raid enemy shipping in wartime.
"Merchants pooled their capital to outfit a fast-sailing schooner as a privateer to disrupt foreign trade routes."
An independent competitor or racing team in motorsport that enters races without the direct financial or technical backing of a major vehicle manufacturer.
"Despite competing against factory-backed teams with massive budgets, the independent privateer managed to finish on the podium."
• verb
To cruise in or serve aboard a privately owned armed ship commissioned to capture enemy merchant vessels.
"Many New England mariners privateered along the Atlantic trade routes during the War of 1812."
Word Nuance & Usage
Unlike a 'pirate', who is an outlaw attacking ships indiscriminately for personal gain, a 'privateer' operated legally under a government commission (a letter of marque) to capture only the vessels of enemy nations during wartime.
• Rhymes for privateer
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the mid-17th century from the adjective 'private' plus the agent suffix '-eer' (on the model of 'volunteer'), originally as a short form of 'private man-of-war'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.