piratia

Forms

pīrātia f (genitive pīrātiae); first declension^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from Latin pīrāta (“pirate”) + -ia,^[1][2][3] and the DMLBS compares Ancient Greek πειρατεῖαι (peirateîai).^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is a Medieval Latin word: the earliest record in the DMLBS and Köbler is from 1419, in a document printed in the Foedera, where something is done per modum piratiae, by way of piracy.^[2][3]

Semantic evolution

Wiktionary marks it as rare.^[1] In the British record it is used of piratical acts in treaties and royal documents of the 15th to 17th centuries, often beside words for robbery and plunder.^[2] Du Cange lists it with piratio and refers the reader to pirata.^[4]

Timeline

• 1419 – A document in the Foedera speaks of action per modum piratiae.^[2][3]
• 1492 – A treaty in the Foedera excludes men at arms who commit piratiae or other misdeeds.^[2]
• 1577 – A document in the Gild Merchant mentions merchants' losses through misfortunes at sea and piracy.^[2]
• 1606 – A royal pardon names piratiam with plunder and spoil.^[2]

Meanings

Noun

1. (Medieval Latin) piracy; a piratical act.^[2][1][3]

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
4. ^ du Cange, Charles du Fresne, et al. (1883–1887), Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis, augmented ed. by Léopold Favre, Niort: L. Favre