WorldAugust 22, 2026
privateering
PRY-vuh-teer-ing
Definition
The act of using privately owned ships authorized by a government to attack and capture enemy merchant vessels during wartime.
Etymology
Derived from the word privateer, which stems from the English private and the suffix -eer, indicating one who engages in a particular activity. It dates back to the 17th century when governments issued 'letters of marque' to private ship owners.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe how modern nations are employing tactics similar to historical privateering as they utilize civilian or merchant fleets for quasi-military roles in low-intensity sea conflicts.
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