Pi*quet" (?), n. [F., prob. fr. pique. See Pique, Pike, and Picket.] A
game at cards played between two persons, with thirty-two cards, all
the deuces, threes, fours, fives, and sixes, being set aside. [Written
also picket and picquet.]
Pi"ra*cy (?), n.; pl. Piracies (#). [Cf. LL. piratia, Gr. &?;. See
Pirate.] 1. The act or crime of a pirate.
2. (Common Law) Robbery on the high seas; the taking of property from
others on the open sea by open violence; without lawful authority, and
with intent to steal; -- a crime answering to robbery on land.
By statute law several other offenses committed on the seas (as trading
with known pirates, or engaging in the slave trade) have been made
piracy.
3. "Sometimes used, in a quasi- figurative sense, of violation of
copyright; but for this, infringement is the correct and preferable
term." Abbott.
Pi*ra"gua (?), n. See Pirogue.
Pi*rai" (?), n. (Zoˆl.) Same as Piraya.
Pi*ram"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; trial + -meter.] A dynamometer for
ascertaining the power required to draw carriages over roads.
Pi`ra*ru"cu (?), n. [From the native South American name.] (Zoˆl.) Same
as Arapaima.
Pi"rate (?), n. [L. pirata, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to attempt, undertake,
from making attempts or attacks on ships, &?; an attempt, trial; akin
to E. peril: cf. F. pirate. See Peril.] 1. A robber on the high seas;
one who by open violence takes the property of another on the high
seas; especially, one who makes it his business to cruise for robbery
or plunder; a freebooter on the seas; also, one who steals in a harbor.
2. An armed ship or vessel which sails without a legal commission, for
the purpose of plundering other vessels on the high seas.
3. One who infringes the law of copyright, or publishes the work of an
author without permission.
Pirate perch (Zoˆl.), a fresh- water percoid fish of the United States
(Aphredoderus Sayanus). It is of a dark olive color, speckled with
blackish spots.
Pi"rate, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pirated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Pirating.]
[Cf. F. pirater.] To play the pirate; to practice robbery on the high
seas.
Pi"rate, v. t. To publish, as books or writings, without the permission
of the author.
They advertised they would pirate his edition.
Pope.
Pi*rat"ic (?), a. Piratical.
Pi*rat"ic*al (?), a. [L. piraticus, Gr. &?;: cf. F. piratique.] Of or
pertaining to a pirate; acquired by, or practicing, piracy; as, a
piratical undertaking. "Piratical printers." Pope. -- Pi*rat"ic*al*ly,
adv.
||Pi*ra"ya (?), n. [From the native name.] (Zoˆl.) A large voracious
||fresh-water fish (Serrasalmo piraya) of South America, having
||lancet-shaped teeth.
Pir"ie (?), n. (Naut.) See Pirry.
Pir"ie, n. [See Pear.] (Bot.) A pear tree. [Written also pery, pyrie.]
[Obs.] Chaucer.
||Pi`ri*ri"gua (?), n. [From the native name.] (Zoˆl.) A South American
||bird (Guira guira) allied to the cuckoos.
Pirl (?), v. t. [Cf. Purl.] 1. To spin, as a top.