privateer
pronunciation
How to pronounce privateer in British English: UK [ˌpraɪvəˈtɪə(r)]
How to pronounce privateer in American English: US [ˌpraɪvəˈtɪr]
-
- 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
Word Origin
- privateer (n.)
- 1660s, "private man of war," from private (adj.), probably on model of volunteer, buccaneer.