Obs. exc. Hist. [a. mod.Du. kaper privateer, corsair, f. kapen, E.Fris. kapen to take away, steal, rob, plunder (see CAPE v.2).]
1. A privateer (also caper-vessel); the captain of a privateer; a corsair.
1657. Colvil, Whig’s Supplic. (1695), 23. Capers bringing in their prizes, Commons cursing new excises.
1666. Lamont, Diary (1810), 243. Divers persons contributed to the reaking out of smaller Vessels to be capers. Ibid. (1667), 246. A caper vessel … did spleit on upon the Sands.
1668. Treaty, in Magens, Insurances (1755), II. 447. The Captains and Capers shall … give good and sufficient Security.
1821. Scott, Pirate, xxvi. Brenda … ran from her like a Spanish merchantman from a Dutch caper.
fig. 1719. D’Urfey, Pills, V. 349. Wit Capers, play Sharpers, loud Bullies.
† 2. A captor, seizer. Sc. Obs.
1759. Fountainhall, Decisions, I. 333 (Jam.). The oft debated cause of the Capers of the two prize Danish ships … that they were free ships, but that the Capers had probable grounds to bring them up.
