corsair

[ kawr-sair ]

noun

1. a fast ship used for piracy.
2. a pirate, especially formerly of the Barbary Coast.
3. Corsair, Military. a gull-winged, propeller-driven fighter plane built for the U.S. Navy in World War II and kept in service into the early 1950s.

corsair

/ ˈkɔːsɛə /

noun

1. a pirate
2. a privateer, esp of the Barbary Coast

Word History and Origins

Origin of corsair¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Middle French corsaire, from Provençal corsar(i), from Upper Italian corsaro, from Medieval Latin cursārius, equivalent to Latin curs(us) course + -ārius -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of corsair¹

C15: from Old French corsaire pirate, from Medieval Latin cursārius, from Latin cursus a running, course

Example Sentences

This is her third semester working for the Corsair, and she was arts and entertainment editor until a few months ago, a position that allowed her to write about important issues such as last year’s strikes by Hollywood writers and actors, but mostly she reported from behind a computer screen.

From Los Angeles Times

Shortly after 11 p.m., a former Corsair photo editor gained access to the space and vouched for them, which allowed them to get in before protesters blocked the entrances in a doomed attempt to keep police at bay.

From Los Angeles Times

Two other Corsair photographers, Seals said, were there to capture the event for the community college newspaper, which has a staff of about 25 people.

From Los Angeles Times

But, ultimately, the Corsair journalists made it back home unscathed if a little worse for the wear, with adrenaline pumping through their veins.

From Los Angeles Times

Within hours, their work was posted on the Corsair website.

From Los Angeles Times