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letter of marque

Noun CEFR C1

Definitions

  1. An official commission from a government authorizing someone to seize the property or people of another nation; especially to attack merchant shipping of another nation.
    historical
  2. A ship that has been armed for such a task.
    historical

Equivalents

5 more languages

Examples

“A letter of marque came from the King / to the scummiest vessel I'd ever seen / God damn them all! I was told / We'd cruise the seas for American gold / We'd fire no guns, shed⟳ no tears.”

CEFR level

C1
Advanced
This word is part of the CEFR C1 vocabulary — advanced level.
See all C1 English words →

See also

letter of marque and reprisal letter of mart letter of motivation letter of recall letter of recommendation letter of reference

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