privateers
From WikiWord, the free dictionary
English
Definitions
noun
- A privately owned warship that had official sanction to attack enemy ships and take possession of their cargo.
- An officer or any other member of the crew of such a ship.
- 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.
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.