letters of marque
pl.n.
► A document issued by a nation allowing a private citizen to seize citizens or goods of another nation.
► A document issued by a nation allowing a private citizen to equip a ship with arms in order to attack enemy ships.

[TahlilGaran] American Dictionary ▲

letters of marque
[Middle English letters of mark, from Old French marque, mark, seizure, reprisal. See marquetry.]

[TahlilGaran] American Dictionary ▲