(πειρατής, Gr.); a sea-robbler, or an armed ship that roams the seas without any legal commission, and seizes or plunders every vessel she meets indiscriminately, whether friends or enemies.

The colours usually displayed by pirates are said to be a black field, with a death's head, a battle-axe, and hour-glass. The last instrument is generally supposed to determine the time allowed to the prisoners, whom they take, to consider whether they will join the pirates in their felonious combination, or be put to death, which is often perpetrated in the most cruel manner.

Among the most celebrated pirates of the north is recorded Alvida, daughter of a king of the Goths named Sigurds. She embraced this occupation to deliver herself from the violence imposed on her inclination, by a marriage with Alf, son of Sigurd, king of Denmark. She dressed herself as a man; and composed her band of rowers, and the rest of her crew, of a number of young women attired in the same manner. Amongst the first of her cruises, she touched at a place where a company of pirates bewailed the death of their captain. The strangers were captivated with the agreeable manners of Alvilda, and chose her for their chief. By this reinforcement she became so formidable upon the sea, that Prince Alf came to engage her. She sustained his attacks for a considerable time; but, in a vigorous action, Alf boarded her vessel, and having killed the greatest part of her crew, seized the captain, namely herself; whom nevertheless he knew not, because the princess had a casque which covered her visage. Being master of her person, he removed the casque; and in spite of her disguise, instantly recognized her, and offered her his hand in wedlock.