Privateering Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ดโโ ๏ธ
privateering
[praษชหvษชtษชษrษชล ]
Definition
historical practice
Privateering refers to the practice of privately owned ships being authorized by a government to attack foreign vessels, particularly during wartime. These private ships, known as privateers, operated under a letter of marque, which allowed them to legally engage in acts of piracy against enemy shipping while retaining a share of the captured goods.
Synonyms
buccaneering, corsairing, piracy.
Examples of usage
- The government issued letters of marque to stimulate privateering during the war.
- Many sailors turned to privateering as a way to make a profit.
- Privateering was common in the Caribbean during the 17th century.
Translations
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Origin of 'privateering'
The term privateering originates from the word โprivateerโ, which comes from the late 16th century. Derived from the word 'private' in English, it indicates the involvement of privately owned vessels rather than naval ships. Governments during the age of sail found it advantageous to authorize privateers as a way to augment their naval power without directly bearing the cost of a large standing navy. This led to a formal system where private individuals could legally capture enemy ships. The practice flourished especially during the 17th and 18th centuries, with notable examples during the Anglo-Spanish War and the American Revolutionary War, where American privateers played a significant role against British shipping. Over time, privateering diminished as international laws against piracy tightened and nations moved towards more formal naval warfare.