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DictionarymarqueWartime authorization
noun

marque

Official permission for private vessels to capture enemy ships in wartime.

A letter of marque authorizes this private ship to capture enemy vessels.

Etymology
marqueFrenchreprisal authorization

The legal term occurs in letters of marque, authorizing maritime seizure. It belongs to the historical language of reprisal and does not share the brand-name sense of marque.

More examples

  • The captain needs a letter of marque before raiding enemy shipping.
  • The government issues letters of marque to private shipowners during the war.
  • The treaty requires both nations to revoke their letters of marque.

Forms

marque

Similar words

authorization
Covers official approval generally, not specifically wartime naval captures.
license
Permits an activity generally, rather than specifically capturing enemy ships.