privateer

Meaning

Noun

1. (historical) A privately owned warship that acted under a letter of marque to attack enemy merchant ships and take possession of their cargo.
2. (historical) An officer or any other member of the crew of such a ship; a government-sanctioned pirate.
3. An advocate or beneficiary of privatization of a government service or activity.
4. (Australia, Canada, US) A private individual entrant into a race or competition who does not have the backing of a large, professional team.
5. A racing team that is not a subsidiary of a large conglomerate, or automotive or vehicle manufacturer.

Verb

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

Synonyms

corsair

privateersman

captain

frolic

gob

mariner

play

prank

bluejacket

rover

sailor

seaman

skipper

tar

warship

private vessel

romp

caper

Translations

corsaire

corsaro

corsário

corsario

navio corsário

kaper

Freibeuter

Korsar

kaperschip

nave corsara

Kaperschiff

Tollen

Herumtollen

ναύτης

Tollerei

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˌpɹaɪ.vəˈtɪə/

Etymology

From private + -eer, probably after volunteer.