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Counterfeited Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ’ฐ
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counterfeited

[หˆkaสŠntษ™rหŒfiหtษชd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

legal context

To counterfeit means to imitate something with the intent to deceive, often referring to money or goods. This illegal act involves creating a fake version of an item that is intended to appear legitimate.

Synonyms

fake, forged, fraudulent, imitation.

Examples of usage

  • He was arrested for counterfeiting money.
  • The organization cracked down on counterfeited luxury goods.
  • Counterfeited documents can lead to severe legal penalties.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'counterfeited'

The word 'counterfeit' derives from the Middle English term 'counterfeten', which translates to 'to imitate' or 'to copy'. This term itself comes from the Old French 'contrefaire', meaning 'to make a copy of', originating from 'contre', meaning 'against', and 'faire', meaning 'to do or make'. The historical use of the term is often linked to the practice of creating false money, a crime that has existed for centuries. In the medieval period, counterfeiting was taken very seriously, often resulting in severe punishments. As economies evolved and currency became more standardized, the significance of counterfeiting increased, leading to modern laws and regulations aimed at preventing such fraudulent activities.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,964, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.