"Sea robber" is a term that refers to a maritime thief, who loots ships and engages in piracy. A number of synonyms exist for this term, including "pirate", "buccaneer", "raider", "corsair", "privateer", and "freebooter". The term "pirate" is the most commonly used synonym, and has been popularized in literature and popular culture. A "buccaneer" is a specific type of pirate, who operated in the Caribbean region during the 17th and 18th centuries. A "raider" refers to a person who attacks and raids ships for personal gain. A "corsair" is a pirate who operates in the Mediterranean Sea. A "freebooter" refers to a pirate who is not associated with any specific government or state.