pirates

pi-rates · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    People who attack and rob ships at sea.

  2. 2.

    People who reproduce or use copyrighted material illegally.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    walk the plank — A punishment supposedly used by pirates where victims walk off a board into the sea
  • •
    pirate radio — Unauthorized radio broadcasting

Related words

Antonyms: law enforcers, navy
See also: buccaneer, pirate, privateer, sailor
Synonyms: buccaneers, corsairs, marauders, privateers

Etymology

From Latin pirata ("sea robber"), from Greek peirates ("one who attacks"), from peiran ("to attempt, attack"). The word entered English through Old French pirate.