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Added 10 October 2026

privateer

/ˌpɹaɪ.vəˈtɪə/ noun

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about privateer at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A privately owned warship that acted under a letter of marque to attack enemy merchant ships and take possession of their cargo. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
An officer or any other member of the crew of such a ship; a government-sanctioned pirate.
An advocate or beneficiary of privatization of a government service or activity.

verb

To function under official sanction permitting attacks on enemy shipping and seizing ship and cargo; to engage in government-sponsored piracy.
To advocate or benefit from privatization of government services.

Origin

From private + -eer probably after volunteer, shortened from the original term "private man-of-war".

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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