Etymology Map
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Pirate

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a person who robs ships at sea; to copy without permission

Where does the word "pirate" come from? It comes from Greek peiratēs, passing through Latin before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
peiratēs
Greek · ancient
"attacker, brigand"
from 'peiran', to attempt or attack
2
Stage 2 of 3
pirata
Latin · ancient
"sea robber"
Cilician pirates famously captured the young Julius Caesar
3
Stage 3 of 3
pirate
English · 1400s
"a sea robber"
'pirated' copies of books date from the 1700s
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Read the full story

Pirate’s story begins in Greek: peiratēs meant “attacker, brigand.” From 'peiran', to attempt or attack. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as pirata. Cilician pirates famously captured the young Julius Caesar. It reached English by 1400s as pirate. 'pirated' copies of books date from the 1700s. Today, pirate means a person who robs ships at sea; to copy without permission.