privateer

Meanings

Plural: privateers

Noun

• an officer or crew member of a privateer
• a privately owned warship commissioned to prey on the commercial shipping or warships of an enemy nation
• A privately owned warship that acted under a letter of marque to attack enemy merchant ships and take possession of their cargo.
• 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.
• A private individual entrant into a race or competition who does not have the backing of a large, professional team.
• A racing team that is not a subsidiary of a large conglomerate, or automotive or vehicle manufacturer.

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.

Synonyms

privateersman

Related Words

buccaneer, letter of marque, profiteer, works team