I. ˈpīrə̇t, usu -ə̇d+V noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin pirata, from Greek peiratēs, from peiran to attempt, make a try at — more at fear
1. : one who commits or practices piracy: as
a. : a robber on the high seas
b. : one noted for predatory practices
financial pirates
c. : an infringer of the law of copyright
2. : a ship used in piracy
3. : a stream that has captured another
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
1. : to commit piracy upon : rob
2. : to take or appropriate by piracy: as
a. : to publish (as a book) without proper authorization especially in infringement of copyright
b. : to take over and use (as a wavelength) in violation of exclusive assignment to another
c. : to lure (a worker) away from another employer by offers of betterment
intransitive verb
: to commit or practice piracy