freebooter
Americannoun
noun
-
a person, such as a pirate, living from plunder
-
informal a person, esp an itinerant, who seeks pleasure, wealth, etc, without responsibility
Etymology
Origin of freebooter
1560–70; Anglicization of Dutch vrijbuiter, equivalent to vrij free + buit booty 1 + -er -er 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The term “filibuster” began appearing in the mid-19th century, derived from a Dutch term for “freebooter” and the Spanish “filibusteros,” which were used to describe pirates, Senate records show.
From Seattle Times
The word comes from a Dutch term for “freebooter” and the Spanish “filibusteros” that were used to describe pirates.
From Seattle Times
Suddenly the mask of insolence dropped from the phantom freebooter’s countenance.
From Washington Times
Those who survived possibly ended being sold as slaves, or joined the growing number of refugees and lawless freebooters as societies broke down.
From BBC
From a 70-foot tower, and a boat named Patrol, the police kept watch on wharf rats, saboteurs, pirates and freebooters.
From New York Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
