piracy

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   Robbery at sea, a violation of international law; taking a ship away from the control of those who are legally entitled to it.

   How should the international community respond to Somali piracy?

2. 2
   noun

   The unauthorized duplication of goods protected by intellectual property law.

   Some video game consoles use specially designed cartridges to make software piracy more difficult.

3. 3
   noun

   the act of plagiarizing

4. 4
   noun

   hijacking on the high seas or in similar contexts

5. 5
   noun

   A similar violation of international law, such as hijacking of an aircraft.

6. 6
   noun

   The operation of an unlicensed radio or television station.

7. 7
   noun

   Kleptoparasitism.

Etymology

From Medieval Latin pīrātia, from Classical Latin pīrāta + ia, or Ancient Greek πειρατεία (peirateía).