See Also: privateer(dictionary)
privateer(encyclopedia)
privateer(dictionary)
PRIVATEER war(law)
NEW PRIVATEER Holdings Limited(finance)

privateer (iou)



privateer noun & verb. M17.
[from PRIVATE adjective + -EER, after volunteer.]
A. noun.
An armed vessel owned and crewed by private individuals and holding a government commission authorizing its use in war, esp. in the capture of merchant shipping; the commander or a member of the crew of such a vessel. Now chiefly Hist. M17.
An advocate or exponent of private enterprise. M20.
Motor Racing. A competitor who races as a private individual rather than as a member of a works team. L20.
Comb.: privateersman US History an officer or a member of the crew of a privateer.
b. verb intrans. Engage in the activities of a privateer; (of a vessel) be used as a privateer. Chiefly as privateering verbal noun. M17.