English Dictionary

Definition of “pirate”

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pirate (ˈpaɪrɪtPronunciation for pirate) 

Definitions

noun

  1. a person who commits piracy
    1. a vessel used by pirates
    2. ((as modifier)  ⇒ a pirate ship 
  3. a person who illicitly uses or appropriates someone else's literary, artistic, or other work
    1. a person or group of people who broadcast illegally
    2. ((as modifier)  ⇒ a pirate radio station 

verb

  1. (tr) to use, appropriate, or reproduce (artistic work, ideas, etc) illicitly

Alternative Forms

piratical (paɪˈrætɪkəllPronunciation for piratical)  piˈratic adjective piˈratically adverb

Word Origin

C15: from Latin pīrāta,  from Greek peirātēs  one who attacks, from peira an attempt, attack

Translations

  • British English: pirate Pronunciation for pirate Pirates are sailors who attack other ships and steal property from them.In the 19th century, pirates sailed the seas.ˈpaɪrɪt NOUN In the 19th century, pirates sailed the seas.
  • Spanish: pirata Pronunciation for pirata nm
  • French: pirate Pronunciation for pirate nm
  • German: Pirat Pronunciation for Pirat nm Piratin
  • Chinese: 海盗Pronunciation for 海盗 n
  • Arabic: قُرْصانPronunciation for قُرْصان n
  • Portuguese: pirataPronunciation for pirata nm
  • Russian: пиратPronunciation for пират nm
  • Croatian: gusarPronunciation for gusar nm
  • Czech: pirátPronunciation for pirát nm
  • Danish: piratPronunciation for pirat nutr
  • Dutch: piraatPronunciation for piraat nm
  • Finnish: merirosvoPronunciation for merirosvo n
  • Greek: πειρατήςPronunciation for πειρατής nm
  • Italian: pirataPronunciation for pirata nm
  • Japanese: 海賊Pronunciation for 海賊 n
  • Korean: 해적Pronunciation for 해적 n
  • Norwegian: sjørøverPronunciation for sjørøver nm
  • Polish: piratPronunciation for pirat nm
  • Brazilian Portuguese: pirataPronunciation for pirata nm
  • European Spanish: pirata Pronunciation for pirata nm
  • Swedish: piratPronunciation for pirat nutr
  • Thai: โจรสลัดPronunciation for โจรสลัด n
  • Turkish: korsanPronunciation for korsan n
  • Vietnamese: cướp biểnPronunciation for cướp biển n

Usage examples

  • Behind him stood a fat, bearded man with a camera perched on his shoulder like a parrot on a pirate.
    Tapply, William G, The Dutch Blue Error (1985)
  • Walking the plank: I have a pirate fetish I just always thought eye patches were sexy.
    Maxim (2004)
  • The 900km Strait of Malacca is a notoriously high-risk area for pirate attacks, according to the International Maritime Bureau.
    New Zealand Herald (2004)
  • ONE of the new Survivor desert islands is an old pirate lair swarming with deadly frogs.
    Sun, News of the World (2001)
  • { The Legend of Tiger Bay } Tiger Bay was the original pirate town.
    Williams, John, Bloody Valentine, A Killing in Cardiff (1994)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'P'

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