from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Corsair \Cor"sair\ (k?r"s?r), n. [F. corsaire (cf. It. corsare,
corsale, Pr. corsari), LL. corsarius, fr. L. cursus a
running, course, whence Sp. corso cruise, corsa cruise,
coasting voyage, corsear to cruise against the enemy, to
pirate, corsario cruising, a privateer authorized to cruise
against the enemy. See {Course}.]
1. A pirate; one who cruises about without authorization from
any government, to seize booty on sea or land.
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2. A piratical vessel.
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Barbary corsairs . . . infested the coast of the
Mediterranean. --Prescott.
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3. (Zool.) A Californian market fish ({Sebastichthys
rosaceus}).
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]