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History vocabulary · Wars, Treaties and Diplomacy

Letter of marque

Meaning in history, with examples

nounCommon term

In history, letter of marque means: A government commission authorizing a private vessel to attack or seize enemy shipping.

In Turkish: korsanlık yetki belgesi

How it is used

Use for the authorizing document, not the vessel or an unrestricted right to attack.

Example sentences

  1. The captain produced a letter of marque to justify the seizure.

    The document is evidence of the claimed authorization.

  2. The letter of marque named the power whose shipping could be targeted.

    Authorization could define the scope of permitted hostilities.

Common collocations

  • issue a letter of marque
  • hold a letter of marque
  • primary sourceEvidence created at the time being studied or by people who witnessed it, such as letters, diaries, official records, photographs or objects.
  • campaignA series of military operations carried out over a period of time in one area or with one main aim, such as capturing a city or defeating an enemy army.

More terms: Wars, Treaties and Diplomacy

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