'Corsair' definitions:

Definition of 'corsair'

(from WordNet)
noun
A pirate along the Barbary Coast [syn: corsair, Barbary pirate]
noun
A swift pirate ship (often operating with official sanction)

Definition of 'Corsair'

From: GCIDE
  • Corsair \Cor"sair\ (k?r"s?r), 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.]