a pirate or person who scours the seas, especially the Mediterranean, with a vessel armed for war, without commission from any prince or power, to plunder merchant vessels. The word comes from the Italian corsare, of corsa, or a corsa, by reason of their courses, or excursions.—The name is commonly given to the piratical cruisers of Barbary, who had their rise about the beginning of the 16th century.

A corsair is distinguished from a privateer in this, that the latter does it under a commission, and only attacks the vessels of those at war with the state whence his commission is derived. The punishment of a corsair is to be hanged, without remission; whereas privateers are to be treated as prisoners of war. All corsair vessels are good prizes.

CORSELET, a little cuirass: or, according to others, an armour or coat made to cover the whole body, anciently worn by the pikemen, usually placed in the front and flanks of the battle, for the better resisting the enemy's assaults, and guarding the soldiers placed behind them.