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Defrauded Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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defrauded

[dɪˈfrɔːdɪd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

legal context

Defrauded refers to the act of deceiving someone in order to obtain money or personal gain. This usually involves a false representation or fraudulent scheme. The term is frequently used in legal contexts when describing crimes related to financial deceit. Individuals or entities can be defrauded, and the consequences often lead to serious legal penalties.

Synonyms

cheated, conned, duped, scammed, swindled.

Examples of usage

  • He was defrauded out of his life savings.
  • The company was defrauded by an insider.
  • Many citizens were defrauded during the financial crisis.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Law

  • Defrauding can lead to serious legal consequences, including fines and imprisonment.
  • There are different types of fraud, such as credit card fraud, insurance fraud, and securities fraud, each defined by specific deceptive practices.

Pop Culture

  • Movies often portray characters engaged in grand scams, highlighting the theme of deception, such as in 'Catch Me If You Can.'
  • Television series like 'Breaking Bad' explore the darker aspects of fraud in the drug trade, portraying real-life complexities involved.

Psychology

  • Research shows that some individuals are more susceptible to fraud due to cognitive biases, like trusting others too easily.
  • Emotional factors, such as desperation or greed, often influence why people fall victim to being defrauded.

History

  • Throughout history, fraud has been reported as one of the oldest crimes, with references to scams found in ancient civilization texts.
  • The invention of the printing press in the 15th century led to new types of fraud, such as counterfeit money and fake documents.

Origin of 'defrauded'

Main points about word origin

  • The term comes from the Latin word 'fraudare,' meaning ‘to deceive’ or ‘to cheat.’
  • In Middle English, 'defrauden' meant to deprive someone of property, showing its long-standing association with trickery.

The term 'defraud' comes from the Latin word 'defraudare,' which is composed of 'de' meaning 'from' or 'away' and 'fraudare' meaning 'to deceive.' The evolution of the term reflects its association with deceitful practices used to trick individuals or entities out of their money or possessions. The word has been used in legal contexts since the late 14th century, and it has evolved to encompass a wide range of fraudulent activities, from simple scams to complex financial frauds. Throughout history, as commerce expanded and legal systems developed, the need to define and punish acts of fraud became more prominent, solidifying the word's place in both everyday language and legal terminology.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,854, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.