piracy

 
Pronunciation: /ˈpʌɪrəsi/

noun

  • 1 [mass noun] the practice of attacking and robbing ships at sea.
  • a practice similar to piracy but in other contexts, especially hijacking: air piracy
  • 2the unauthorized use or reproduction of another’s work: software piracy

Origin:

mid 16th century: via medieval Latin from Greek pirateia, from peiratēs (see pirate)