PIRACY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does piracy mean? 

• PIRACY (noun)
  The noun PIRACY has 2 senses:

1. hijacking on the high seas or in similar contexts; taking a ship or plane away from the control of those who are legally entitled to it

2. the act of plagiarizing; taking someone's words or ideas as if they were your own

  Familiarity information: PIRACY used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PIRACY (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Hijacking on the high seas or in similar contexts; taking a ship or plane away from the control of those who are legally entitled to it

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

buccaneering; piracy

Context example:

air piracy

Hypernyms ("piracy" is a kind of...):

highjacking; hijacking (robbery of a traveller or vehicle in transit or seizing control of a vehicle by the use of force)

Derivation:

pirate (take arbitrarily or by force)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The act of plagiarizing; taking someone's words or ideas as if they were your own

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

piracy; plagiarisation; plagiarism; plagiarization

Hypernyms ("piracy" is a kind of...):

copyright infringement; infringement of copyright (a violation of the rights secured by a copyright)

Derivation:

pirate (copy illegally; of published material)

piratical (characteristic of piracy)

 Context examples 

There is wild talk of cannon aboard, and of strange raids and expeditions she may make, ranging from opium smuggling into the States and arms smuggling into China, to blackbirding and open piracy.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

But one thing I'll say, and no more; if you spare me, bygones are bygones, and when you fellows are in court for piracy, I'll save you all I can.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

The HISPANIOLA still lay where she had anchored; but, sure enough, there was the Jolly Roger—the black flag of piracy—flying from her peak.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)