noun
letter of marque
Historical term for a government license authorizing privateering. Rare in modern usage; encountered mainly in historical or legal contexts.
17世紀には、多くの国が敵国の船を攻撃するために私掠免許を発行した。
In the 17th century, many countries issued letters of marque to attack enemy ships.
Compound of 私掠 (privateering) and 免許 (license). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the term is a direct translation of the Western concept.