Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
privateer
noun
/ˌpraɪ.vɪˈtɪr/
Definition
A privateer is a private person or ship authorized by a government to attack foreign vessels during wartime.
Examples
- During the 17th century, many privateers were commissioned to capture Spanish treasure ships.
- One famous privateer was Sir Francis Drake, who claimed several Spanish ships for England.
- The role of a privateer became less significant with the rise of the modern navy.
Meaning
In the context of naval warfare, a privateer operates with the legal permission of a government to engage in acts of piracy against enemy ships.
Synonyms
- corsair
- buccaneer
- raider
- pirate (in specific historical contexts)
