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Privateer - Dictionary Definition and Overview |
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Privateer : (noun)
1: an officer or crew member of a privateer [syn: privateersman]
2: a privately owned warship commissioned to prey on the
commercial shipping or warships of an enemy nation
Based on WordNet 2.0
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Privateer : \Pri`va*teer"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Privateered; p.
pr. & vb. n. Privateering.]
To cruise in a privateer.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Privateer : \Pri`va*teer"\, n. [Based on Private.]
1. An armed private vessel which bears the commission of the
sovereign power to cruise against the enemy. See Letters
of marque, under Marque.
2. The commander of a privateer.
Kidd soon threw off the character of a privateer and
became a pirate. --Macaulay.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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Privateer : war. A vessel owned by one or by a society of private individuals,
armed and equipped at his or their expense, for the purpose of carrying on a
maritime war, by the authority of one of the belligerent parties.
2. For the purpose of encouraging the owners of private armed vessels,
they are usually allowed to appropriate to themselves the property they
capture, or, at least, a large proportion of it. 1 Kent, Com. 96; Posh. du
Dr. de Propr. n. 90 et seq. See 2 Dall. 36; 3 Dall. 334; 4 Cranch, 2; 1
Wheat. 46; 3 Wheat. 546; 2 Gall. R. 19; Id. 526; 1 Mason, R. 365 3 Wash. C.
C. R. 209 2 Gall. R. 56; 5 Wheat. 338; Mann. Com. 1.16.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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