pirate
[ pahy-ruht ]
/ ˈpaɪ rət /
noun
verb (used with object), pi·rat·ed, pi·rat·ing.
verb (used without object), pi·rat·ed, pi·rat·ing.
to commit or practice piracy.
QUIZZES
Fend Off Sciolism With This Word Of The Day Quiz
Are you the Cinderella of this week’s quiz? Test your memory on the words and definitions from March 23–29.
Question 1 of 7
schlep
Origin of pirate
1250–1300; Middle English < Latin pīrāta < Greek peirātḗs, equivalent to peirā-, variant stem of peirân to attack + -tēs agent noun suffix
SYNONYMS FOR pirate
OTHER WORDS FROM pirate
Words nearby pirate
pirandello, piranesi, piranha, pirapóra, pirarucu, pirate, pirate coast, pirate perch, pirates of penzance, pire, piri-piri
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for piratical
British Dictionary definitions for piratical
pirate
/ (ˈpaɪrɪt) /
noun
a person who commits piracy
- a vessel used by pirates
- (as modifier)a pirate ship
a person who illicitly uses or appropriates someone else's literary, artistic, or other work
- a person or group of people who broadcast illegally
- (as modifier)a pirate radio station
verb
(tr) to use, appropriate, or reproduce (artistic work, ideas, etc) illicitly
Derived forms of pirate
piratical (paɪˈrætɪkəl) or piratic, adjectivepiratically, adverbWord Origin for pirate
C15: from Latin pīrāta, from Greek peirātēs one who attacks, from peira an attempt, attack
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012