defraud

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to obtain money, property, or a legal right from someone by deception

   The scheme defrauded thousands of investors of their savings.

2. 2
   verb

   to deprive a person or organization of something rightfully due through dishonest means

   The false records were designed to defraud the government of tax revenue.

From Middle English defrauden, through Old French defrauder and Latin defraudare, formed from de- + fraus, fraudis, 'fraud, deceit.' The construction defraud someone of something preserves the idea of taking by fraud.

Topics

External links

• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary
• Google Images