Word: Barbary Pirate
Definition: A "Barbary pirate" is a term used to describe pirates who operated along the Barbary Coast, which is the northern coastline of Africa, mainly in the countries of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. These pirates were active mainly from the 16th to the 19th centuries and were known for attacking ships and coastal towns.
Usage Instructions: The term "Barbary pirate" is typically used in historical contexts. When using this term, it is important to remember that it refers specifically to pirates from that region during that time period.
Example Sentence: "The Barbary pirates were feared by merchants because they would often capture ships and demand ransom for the crew."
Advanced Usage: In discussions about history or literature, you might encounter the term "Barbary piracy" which refers to the broader context of piracy in that region. You could say, "The rise of Barbary piracy disrupted trade routes across the Mediterranean Sea."
Word Variants: - Barbary (adjective): Pertaining to the Barbary Coast. - Pirate (noun): A person who robs ships at sea.
Different Meaning: While "Barbary pirate" specifically refers to the historical pirates of the Barbary Coast, the word "pirate" alone can refer to any person who engages in piracy, regardless of location or time period.
Synonyms: - Corsair: A privateer or pirate, especially those from the Mediterranean. - Sea robber: A more general term for someone who steals from ships.
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs: - There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "Barbary pirate," but you might hear phrases like "walking the plank," which refers to a punishment pirates used where a person is forced to walk off a plank into the sea.