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Webster 1913 Edition
Corsair
Cor′sair
(k?r′s?r)
, Noun.
[F.
corsaire
(cf. It. corsare
, corsale
, Pr. corsari
), LL. corsarius
, fr. L. cursus
a running, course, whence Sp. corso
cruise, corsa
cruise, coasting voyage, corsear
to cruise against the enemy, to pirate, corsario
cruising, a privateer authorized to cruise against the enemy. See Course
.] 1.
A pirate; one who cruises about without authorization from any government, to seize booty on sea or land.
2.
A piratical vessel.
Barbary
corsairs
. . . infested the coast of the Mediterranean. Prescott.
Webster 1828 Edition
Corsair
CORSAIR
,Noun.