Corsair | n. [ F. corsaire (cf. It. corsare, corsale, Pr. corsari), LL. corsarius, fr. L. cursus a running, course, whence Sp. corso cruise, corsa cruise, coasting voyage, corsear to cruise against the enemy, to pirate, corsario cruising, a privateer authorized to cruise against the enemy. See Course. ] 1. A pirate; one who cruises about without authorization from any government, to seize booty on sea or land. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. A piratical vessel. [ 1913 Webster ] Barbary corsairs . . . infested the coast of the Mediterranean. Prescott. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. (Zool.) A Californian market fish (Sebastichthys rosaceus). [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ] |