Pi"ra*cy (?), n.; pl. Piracies (#). [Cf. LL. piratia, Gr. . See Pirate.]

1.

The act or crime of a pirate.

2. CommonLaw

Robbery on the high seas; the taking of property from others on the open sea by open violence; without lawful authority, and with intent to steal; -- a crime answering to robbery on land.

<-- air piracy -- to commandeer or hijack an airplane -->

⇒ By statute law several other offenses committed on the seas (as trading with known pirates, or engaging in the slave trade) have been made piracy.

3.

"Sometimes used, in a quasi-figurative sense, of violation of copyright; but for this, infringement is the correct and preferable term."

Abbott.

 

© Webster 1913.