piratical
1
8.6
- adjective
- /pɪˈrætɪkəl/
:
pirata
- Mr. McAlpin had one eye and a piratical swagger, and swore great rolling oaths in French while he thrust and lunged.
- piratical attack
- piratical incidents
Examples
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Well, I've done some pretty appalling things in my piratical career.
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Well, Pirate Captain, we hereby pardon you of your piratical crimes.
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There, the men continued their piratical ways.
Academic text (2005) -
I seem to recall that you piratical types have a bit of a soft spot for shiny things.
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After careful consideration, I even acquired a piratical name, as seemed to be the custom out here.
Fiction book (1991) -
Naturally, we will not simply be bystanders with regard to piratical acts by American ships on the high seas.
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However, the piratical situation in the Malacca Straits remains unstable.
Academic text (2005) -
By vote of all, ye are deprived of command... and sentenced under piratical law to be cast adrift in a small boat... without food or water.
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He wore a piratical hat with a skull and crossbones on it, making him look like a classic sea robber.
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The children's party had a piratical theme, complete with treasure maps and eye patches for everyone.
How Piratical
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
The word piratical comes from pirate and the ending -ical, and pirate once meant a 'sea robber' who attacked ships. So piratical means 'like a pirate', used for behaviour or appearance that is daring, rough, or law-breaking.