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Definition shark

Etymology 1

Of uncertain origin, most likely from a semantic extension of the German-derived word shark/Schurke for a "scoundrel" (see below). The fish was originally called a dogfish or haye in English and Middle English.

Some older dictionaries derived the word from Latin c(h)archarias, c(h)charus (from Ancient Greek), but admit that "the requisite [Old French] forms intermediate between E. shark and L. carcharus are not found, and it is not certain that the name was orig. applied to the fish; it may have been first used of a greedy man".

Other older authorities speculated that the word might derive from Yucatec Maya xoc (�fish�) (/?ok/), as John Hawkins brought a specimen from the area where Mayan was spoken to England in the 1560s. However, Thomas Beckington used the word in 1442 to refer to a kind of fish, ruling out a New World origin for the word.

Noun

shark (plural sharks)

1. A scaleless, predatory fish of the superorder Selachimorpha, with a cartilaginous skeleton and 5 to 7 gill slits on each side of its head.

Verb

shark (third-person singular simple present sharks, present participle sharking, simple past and past participle sharked)

1. (rare) To fish for sharks.

Etymology 2

From German Schurke (�scoundrel�); compare Dutch schurk.

Noun

shark (plural sharks)

1. Someone who exploits others, for example by trickery, lies, usury, extortion.
2. (informal, derogatory) A sleazy and amoral lawyer; an ambulance chaser.
3. (informal) A relentless and resolute person or group, especially in business.
4. (informal) A very good poker or pool player. Compare fish (a bad poker player).
5. (sports and games) A person who feigns ineptitude to win money from others.

Verb

shark (third-person singular simple present sharks, present participle sharking, simple past and past participle sharked)

1. (obsolete) To steal or obtain through fraud.
2. (obsolete, intransitive) To play the petty thief; to practice fraud or trickery; to swindle.
3. (obsolete, intransitive) To live by shifts and stratagems.

Etymology 3

Probably from the "steal" senses above, but perhaps related to shear. Compare shirk.

Verb

shark (third-person singular simple present sharks, present participle sharking, simple past and past participle sharked)

1. (obsolete) To pick or gather indiscriminately or covertly.

Results 307 Words with the letters SHARK

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