privateer

pronunciation

How to pronounce privateer in British English: UK [ˌpraɪvəˈtɪə(r)]word uk audio image

How to pronounce privateer in American English: US [ˌpraɪvəˈtɪr] word us audio image

  • 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.