HomeServicesBlogDictionariesContactSpanish Course
← Back to search

Meaning of letter of marque | Babel Free

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.
  2. A ship that has been armed for such a task.

Equivalents

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

Learn this word in context

See letter of marque used in real conversations inside our free language course.

Start Free Course

Know this word better than we do? Language is a living thing — help us keep it growing. Collaborate with Babel Free