practice of a pirate; robbery or illegal violence at sea.
2.
the unauthorized reproduction or use of a copyrighted book, recording, television program, patented invention, trademarked product, etc.: The record industry is beset with piracy.
3.
Also called stream capture.Geology. diversion of the upper part of one stream by the headward growth of another.
Origin: 1545–55; earlier pyracie < Medieval Latinpīrātīa < Late Greekpeirāteía. See pirate, -acy