letter of marque
noun
1.
license or commission granted by a state to a private citizen to capture and confiscate the merchant ships of another nation.
Also,
letters of marque
.
Also called
letter of marque and reprisal,
letters of marque and reprisal
.
Origin
1400-50;
late Middle English
British Dictionary definitions for
letter of marque
letter of marque
noun
1.
a licence granted by a state to a private citizen to arm a ship and seize merchant vessels of another nation
2.
a similar licence issued by a nation allowing a private citizen to seize goods or citizens of another nation
Also called
letter of marque and reprisal