letters of marque

letters-of-marque的词性：
pl.n.（复数名词）

1. A document issued by a nation allowing a private citizen to seize citizens or goods of another nation.
扣押特许证：国家允许私人扣押外国公民或其商品的书面许可

2. A document issued by a nation allowing a private citizen to equip a ship with arms in order to attack enemy ships.Also called letter of marque
缉拿特许证：国家允许私人在其船上配备武器以便攻击敌船的书面许可证也作 letter of marque

letters-of-marque的词源：

3. Middle English letters of mark
中古英语 letters of mark

4. from Old French marque [mark, seizure, reprisal] * see marquetry
源自 古法语 marque [标记，捕拿，惩罚] *参见 marquetry