corsair

American  

[kawr-sair] / ˈkɔr sɛər /

noun

1. a fast ship used for piracy.

2. a pirate, especially formerly of the Barbary Coast.

3. Military. Corsair, a gull-winged, propeller-driven fighter plane built for the U.S. Navy in World War II and kept in service into the early 1950s.

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corsair British  

/ ˈkɔːsɛə /

noun

1. a pirate

2. a privateer, esp of the Barbary Coast

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Etymology

Origin of corsair

First recorded in 1540–50; from Middle French corsaire, from Provençal corsar(i), from Upper Italian corsaro, from Medieval Latin cursārius, equivalent to Latin curs(us) course + -ārius -ary

Example Sentences

The Lancia Aurelia America is an Italian classic, and the European designers borrowed wraparound windshields and corsair bumper design from their U.S. counterparts.

From New York Times • Aug. 19, 2021

The 17th century mansion of a wealthy corsair captain has been transformed into a museum showcasing artifacts from his maritime adventures.

From Washington Post • Jul. 20, 2017

Surrounded by pirates more glam-rock hair than menacing corsair, Walken’s Hook moved with a knowing, and occasionally line-dropping, weariness that might have been camp if only the Captain were able to summon the energy.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2014

There is even a note of unexpected poignancy as we see the tousled, dashing corsair of the prologue succeeded for the main body of the opera by the much older, wiser Doge.

From The Guardian • Jun. 30, 2010

Beneath awnings, tourists browse over blue-and-white-striped sweaters and framed watercolors of corsair ships; a father sings as he puts his arm around a daughter.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr