freebooter
English
Etymology
free + booty + -er. Calque of Dutch vrijbuiter (literally “free booty-er”), from vrij (“free”) + buit (“booty”) + -er (“agent”). Doublet of filibuster.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈfɹiːbuːtə(ɹ)/
Noun
freebooter (plural freebooters)
- An adventurer who pillages, plunders or wages ad-hoc war on other nations.
- 1901 May 10, G. H. Davies, “Forest in War”, in The Agricultural Journal and Mining Record, volume 4, number 5, page 142:
- The military aspect should, however, be carefully studied, as the result may be to dispel the time-honoured connection between forest and freebooter under modern conditions with long-range rifles.
-
- One who rehosts online media without authorization; one who freeboots.
Synonyms
- pirate, see also Thesaurus:pirate
- mercenary, see also Thesaurus:mercenary
- conquistador, filibuster
Coordinate terms
- privateer
Derived terms
- freebooting
Related terms
- filibuster
Translations
A pirate, or person who pillages and plunders
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