pirate

n. [ L. pirata, Gr. &unr_;, fr. &unr_; to attempt, undertake, from making attempts or attacks on ships, &unr_; an attempt, trial; akin to E. peril: cf. F. pirate. See Peril. ] 1. A robber on the high seas; one who by open violence takes the property of another on the high seas; especially, one who makes it his business to cruise for robbery or plunder; a freebooter on the seas; also, one who steals in a harbor. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An armed ship or vessel which sails without a legal commission, for the purpose of plundering other vessels on the high seas. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. One who infringes the law of copyright, or publishes the work of an author without permission. [ 1913 Webster ]

Pirate perch (Zool.), a fresh-water percoid fish of the United States (Aphredoderus Sayanus). It is of a dark olive color, speckled with blackish spots. [ 1913 Webster ]