Definition 1: Used only in the phrase "letter of marque and reprisal," a license granted by a sovereign to a subject, authorizing him to make reprisals on any national of a hostile state for damages alleged against the enemy's army. Later it became a license to employ an armed vessel to capture shipping belonging to subjects of an enemy state. Holders of such a letter were called "privateers" or "corsairs." On land, a letter of marque was permission for reprisals after a border incursion (see "Etymology").

Usage 1: Originally, the letter of marque and reprisal was intended as an instrument of last resort when a hostile nation or one of its nationals failed to pay for goods obtained by whatever means. By 1700, the letter of marque had become an instrument by which a government could expand its naval power during war. "Letters of marque and reprisal" distinguished the privateer from a pirate, but not by much. They were outlawed by European nations in the Paris Convention of 1856. The U.S. government, however, never ratified that convention, so Congress may have the opportunity to resort to this legal step in the coming months. Article I, Section VIII, paragraph 11 of the Constitution grants Congress the power "to declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water."

Suggested usage: In this phrase, marque means "border," so, the letter of marque allows its holder to go beyond a border or boundary. This broad meaning has many household uses; for example, "The neighborhood gave my dog letters of marque and reprisal to settle accounts with the rabbits eating everybody's lettuce."

Etymology: From Old French marque "mark, seizure, reprisal" from Latin marca "border, boundary." Akin to Germanic markja- "mark, border" as in Old Norse merki "a mark." The PIE root of all these words is *merg-/*morg- "boundary, border." A marquis was originally a nobleman appointed by his king to prevent border incursions. Need more PIE? Visit YD's library and read "How is a Hippo like a Feather?" (Thanks to YD's friend, Lawrence Brady, for spotting the imminent potential of today's word among the current political storms.)