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Chicanery: meaning, definitions and examples

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chicanery

 

[ ʃɪˈkeɪnəri ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

deceptive practices

Chicanery refers to the use of trickery or subterfuge to achieve a specific purpose, often in a legal context. It typically involves deceitful or dishonest behavior that is intended to create a false impression or mislead others. This term can be applied to various situations where manipulation or artifice is employed, particularly in politics, law, or business dealings. Chicanery is often associated with a lack of ethical standards and can lead to serious consequences for those who practice it.

Synonyms

deception, dishonesty, fraud, trickery

Examples of usage

  • The politician's chicanery was exposed during the investigation.
  • She used chicanery to win the contract unfairly.
  • The lawyer was accused of using chicanery in court.

Translations

Translations of the word "chicanery" in other languages:

🇵🇹 engano

🇮🇳 धोखाधड़ी

🇩🇪 Täuschung

🇮🇩 tipu daya

🇺🇦 обман

🇵🇱 oszustwo

🇯🇵 詐欺

🇫🇷 tromperie

🇪🇸 engaño

🇹🇷 aldatma

🇰🇷 속임수

🇸🇦 خداع

🇨🇿 podvod

🇸🇰 podvod

🇨🇳 欺骗

🇸🇮 prevara

🇮🇸 svik

🇰🇿 алдау

🇬🇪 მატყუება

🇦🇿 aldatma

🇲🇽 engaño

Word origin

The term 'chicanery' originated in the early 17th century, tracing back to the French word 'chicanerie', which means 'trickery' or 'quibbling'. The French term itself is derived from 'chicaner', meaning 'to quibble' or 'to raise petty objections'. The root can be linked to the word 'chicane', which has connotations of deceitful maneuvering, especially in legal language. Over the years, 'chicanery' has taken on a more general use in English, emphasizing the idea of deception not only in legal contexts but also in political and personal dealings. Its usage has persisted as a term that captures the essence of cunningness and trickiness in various transactions.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,686, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.