corsair Definition
a pirate, especially one who operated in the Mediterranean in the 16th–18th centuries..
Using corsair: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "corsair" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The corsairs were notorious for their attacks on merchant ships.
Example
He joined a group of corsairs to make a living.
Example
Corsairs were a major threat to trade routes in the Mediterranean.
Example
The corsair captain was feared by many sailors.
corsair Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for corsair
Phrases with corsair
a North African Muslim pirate operating from the ports of the Barbary Coast (present-day Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya) during the 16th-19th centuries
Example
The Barbary corsairs were a significant threat to European shipping in the Mediterranean.
Example
The corsair ship was heavily armed and fast, making it difficult to catch.
Example
The corsair treasure was hidden on a remote island, waiting to be discovered by treasure hunters.
Origins of corsair
from French 'corsaire', from Provençal 'corsari', from Old Italian 'corsaro', from Medieval Latin 'cursarius', from Latin 'cursus', meaning 'course'
Summary: corsair in Brief
'Corsair' [ˈkɔːseə(r)] refers to a pirate, particularly those who operated in the Mediterranean during the 16th-18th centuries. It is often associated with the Barbary corsairs, who were North African Muslim pirates. The term can also refer to the ships and treasure associated with corsairs.
