corsair Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a pirate along the Barbary Coast
    Barbary pirate.
  2. noun a swift pirate ship (often operating with official sanction)

WordNet

Cor"sair noun
Etymology
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.
Definitions
  1. A pirate; one who cruises about without authorization from any government, to seize booty on sea or land.
  2. A piratical vessel.
    Barbary corsairs . . . infested the coast of the Mediterranean. Prescott.

Webster 1913