Pirate
Initially, and in its broadest sense, a person who commits illegal violence, particularly robbery, at sea or on the sea's shores, but in a wider context, any plunderer or predator, and not necessarily at sea. Most recently, the term extends to those who produce unauthorised reproductions or patented or copyrighted inventions or works.
The word's original Latin form (pirata) comes from the Greek peiratēs (brigand), and it has been applied to a wide range of seaborne misbehaviour. This behaviour seems to be a global phenomenon, with no maritime nation or ethnic group exempt from the possible allegations of piratical behaviour. Any such suggestion will almost certainly produce allegations of piratical behaviour, though various synonyms and 'legal' niceties will then come into play as a rejoinder ("No. they were privateers").
However, the most widespread image of pirates and piracy involves the predominantly Protestant freebooters who roamed across the Caribbean, South Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans, preying on Spanish, Portuguese and local (non-Christian) interests, ignoring the persistent practices of local people operating in Asian waters.
Synonyms: buccaneer, corsair, freebooter, plagiarist (where intellectual property is concerned) , plunderer, privateer, buccaneer, freebooter, plunderer, a despoiler, a bandit,
