pirate
UK: ˈpaɪ.rət | US: ˈpaɪ.rət
n. 1. A person who attacks and robs ships at sea.
n. 2. Someone who illegally reproduces or uses copyrighted material.
vt. 1. To rob or plunder (a ship) at sea.
vt. 2. To illegally copy or distribute (protected content).
pirate = pir<plunder> + ate<agent noun suffix>
- pir<plunder>: From Latin pirata (sea robber), derived from Greek peiratēs (one who attacks), from peiran (to attempt/attack).
- ate<noun suffix>: A suffix forming agent nouns (e.g., "advocate," "candidate").
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Greek peiratēs, reflecting the ancient Mediterranean’s struggle against sea raiders. Latin adopted it as pirata, and Old French later shaped it into pirate, emphasizing the predatory nature of maritime theft. The modern sense of "copyright violator" emerged metaphorically in the 17th century, likening intellectual theft to maritime plunder.
The pirate ship hoisted its black flag before attacking the merchant vessel.
Digital piracy harms the entertainment industry by distributing films illegally.
Captain Kidd was a notorious pirate who terrorized the Caribbean.
The software company sued a group for pirating its premium application.
Historical pirates often buried their treasure on remote islands.