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Webster 1913 Edition

Privateer

Priˊva-teer′

(prīˊvȧ-tēr′)
,
Noun.
[From
Private
.]
1.
An armed private vessel which bears the commission of the sovereign power to cruise against the enemy. See
Letters of marque
, under
Marque
.
2.
The commander of a privateer.
Kidd soon threw off the character of a
privateer
and became a pirate.
Macaulay.

Priˊva-teer′

,
Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Privateered
(prīˊvȧ-tērd′)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Privateering
.]
To cruise in a privateer.

Webster 1828 Edition

Privateer

PRIVATEE'R

,
Noun.
[from private.] A ship or vessel of war owned and equipped by a private man or by individuals, at their own expense, to seize or plunder the ships of an enemy in war. Such a ship must be licensed or commissioned by government, or it is a pirate.

PRIVATEE'R

,
Verb.
I.
To cruise in a commissioned private ship against an enemy, for seizing their ships or annoying their commerce.

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