defraud
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
From Middle English defrauden, from Old French defrauder, from de- + frauder.
Pronunciation edit
Verb edit
defraud (third-person singular simple present defrauds, present participle defrauding, simple past and past participle defrauded)
- (transitive) To obtain money or property from (a person) by fraud; to swindle.
- 1908, W[illiam] B[lair] M[orton] Ferguson, chapter II, in Zollenstein, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC:
- I had never defrauded a man of a farthing, nor called him knave behind his back. But now the last rag that covered my nakedness had been torn from me. I was branded a blackleg, card-sharper, and murderer.
- (archaic) To deprive.
- 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 1 Corinthians 7:5:
- Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
- 1872, William Goodell, “On Conjugal Onanism and Kindred Sins”, in Nashville Journal of Medicine and Surgery, volume 9, page 63:
- She is sinned against, because she is defrauded of her rights (i.e. sexual satisfaction).
Related terms edit
Translations edit
to obtain money or property by fraud
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