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.
PRIVATEER
Pri`va*teer", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Privateered; p. pr. & vb. n.
Privateering.]
Defn: To cruise in a privateer.
PRIVATEERING
Pri`va*teer"ing, n.
Defn: Cruising in a privateer.
PRIVATEERSMAN
Pri`va*teers"man, n.; pl. Privateersmen (.
Defn: An officer or seaman of a privateer.
PRIVATELY
Pri"vate*ly, adv.
1. In a private manner; not openly; without the presence of others.