Emily Dickinson Lexicon
Definition for PI'RA-CY
PI'RA-CY, n. [Fr. piraterie; L. piratica, from Gr. πειρατεια, from πειραω, to attempt, to dare, to enterprise, whence L. periculum, experior. The primary sense of the root is to run, rush or drive forward; allied to Sax. faran, Eng. to fare. Class Br.]
- The act, practice or crime of robbing on the high seas; the taking of property from others by open violence and without authority, on the sea; a crime that answers to robbery on land. – Waller. Arbuthnot. Other acts than robbery on the high seas, are declared by statute to be piracy. See Act of Congress, April 30, 1790.
- The robbing of another by taking his writings.
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