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letter of marque

Syllabification: (let·ter of marque)
Pronunciation: /märk/

Definition of letter of marque

noun

(usually letters of marque) historical
  • a license to fit out an armed vessel and use it in the capture of enemy merchant shipping and to commit acts that would otherwise have constituted piracy.
  • a ship carrying a letter of marque.

Origin:

late Middle English: Law French marque, from Old French marque 'right of reprisal'

letter of marque in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of letter of marque in the British & World English dictionary

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