piracy
UK: ˈpaɪrəsi | US: ˈpaɪrəsi
n. the act of attacking and robbing ships at sea
n. the unauthorized use or reproduction of another's work (e.g., software, media)
n. a metaphorical term for blatant theft or exploitation
piracy = pir<sea robber> + acy<noun suffix>
- pir<sea robber>: From Latin pirata (sea robber), derived from Greek peiratēs (one who attacks), from peiran (to attempt/attack).
- acy<noun suffix>: A noun-forming suffix indicating state or quality, from Latin -atia or French -acie.
Etymology Origin:
The word "piracy" traces back to the Greek peiratēs, reflecting the ancient Mediterranean threat of sea raiders. Over time, Latin pirata broadened to include any maritime plunderer. The suffix -acy (via Old French) formalized the term into a noun denoting the practice. By the 17th century, "piracy" metaphorically expanded to intellectual theft, mirroring its violent roots in unauthorized appropriation.
Historical piracy plagued trade routes in the Caribbean during the 17th century.
Software piracy remains a significant issue for the tech industry.
The author sued the publisher for piracy of her copyrighted material.
Modern digital piracy often involves illegal streaming platforms.
Metaphorically, his blatant plagiarism was an act of academic piracy.