Pi″ra‐cy (?), n.; pl.Piracies (#). [Cf. LL. piratia, Gr. �. See Pirate.] 1. The act or crime of a pirate.
2. (Common Law) 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.
☞ 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.