privateer

  1. Noun.  (nautical) A privately owned warship that had official sanction to attack enemy ships and take possession of their cargo.
  2. Noun.  An officer or any other member of the crew of such a ship.
  3. Noun.  (motor racing) A private individual entrant into a race or competition who does not have the backing of a large, professional team.
  4. Verb.  To function under official sanction permitting attacks on enemy shipping and seizing ship and cargo; to engage in government-sponsored piracy.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.