Dictionary

buccaneer

noun buc·ca·neer \ˌbə-kə-ˈnir\

: a person who tries to become wealthy or powerful by doing things that are illegal or dishonest

Full Definition of BUCCANEER

1
:  any of the freebooters preying on Spanish ships and settlements especially in 17th century West Indies; broadly :  pirate
2
:  an unscrupulous adventurer especially in politics or business
buccaneer intransitive verb
buc·ca·neer·ish \-ish\ adjective
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Origin of BUCCANEER

French boucanier woodsman, pirate (in the 17th century West Indies), from boucaner to smoke meat, from boucan wooden frame for smoking meat, from Tupi mokaʔẽ́, mbokaʔẽ́, from mo-, mbo- causative marker + kaʔ to be roasted, dried
First Known Use: 1686
BUCCANEER Defined for Kids

buccaneer

noun buc·ca·neer \ˌbə-kə-ˈnir\

Definition of BUCCANEER for Kids

:  pirate

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