English

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Etymology

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From free +‎ booty +‎ -er. Calque of Dutch vrijbuiter (literally free booty-er), from vrij (free) + buit (booty) + -er (occupational suffix). Doublet of filibuster.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈfɹiːbuːtə(ɹ)/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

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freebooter (plural freebooters)

  1. An adventurer who pillages, plunders or wages ad-hoc war on other nations.
    • 1901 May 10, G. H. Davies, “Forest in War”, in The Agricultural Journal and Mining Record[1], volume 4, number 5, page 142:
      The military aspect should, however, be carefully studied, as the result may be to dispel the time-honoured connection between forest and freebooter under modern conditions with long-range rifles.
  2. One who rehosts online media without authorization; one who freeboots.

Synonyms

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Coordinate terms

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Derived terms

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Translations

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