dictionary meaning of piracy:
pi·ra·cy
pi·ra·cy [prəssee]
n
1. shipping robbery on high seas: robbery on the high seas, especially the stealing of a ship’s cargo
2. transport robbery on any form of transportation: robbery committed on board any form of transportation, especially an aircraft
3. transport hijacking: the hijacking\~of an aircraft or another form of transportation
4. use of copyrighted material without permission: the taking and using of copyrighted or patented material without authorization or without the legal right to do so
5. broadcasting illegal broadcasting: the unauthorized or illegal broadcasting of TV or radio programs
[Mid-16th century. From medieval Latin piratia , from Latin pirata (see pirate).]
Microsoft® Encarta® Reference Library 2004. © 1993-2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
pirate:
pi·rate
pi·rate [prət]
n (plural pi·rates)
1. shipping robber at sea: somebody who commits robbery on the high seas, especially regularly
2. shipping ship used by sea robbers: a ship used by people who rob or otherwise attack shipping on the high seas
3. somebody using copyrighted material without permission: somebody who duplicates or uses copyrighted or patented material without authorization or without the legal right to do so
4. broadcasting somebody involved in illegal broadcasting: somebody who takes part in or manages the unauthorized or illegal broadcasting of TV or radio programs
v (past pi·rat·ed, past participle pi·rat·ed, present participle pi·rat·ing, 3rd person present singular pi·rates)
1. vti rob something on high seas: to rob a vessel or commit robbery on the high seas
2. vt use copyrighted material without permission: to duplicate or use copyrighted or patented material without authorization or without the legal right to do so
[13th century. Via Latin pirata from Greek peiratēs , from peiran “to attempt, attack.” Ultimately from an Indo-European word that is also the ancestor of English peril and empiric.]
-pi·rat·ic [pī ráttik], adj
-pi·rat·i·cal·ly [pī ráttikəlee], adv
Microsoft® Encarta® Reference Library 2004. © 1993-2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.