Dictionary
fraud
Pronunciation: (frôd), [key]—
n.
1. deceit, trickery, sharp practice, or breach of confidence, perpetrated for profit or to gain some unfair or dishonest advantage.
2. a particular instance of such deceit or trickery:
mail fraud; election frauds.
3. any deception, trickery, or humbug:
That diet book is a fraud and a waste of time.
4. a person who makes deceitful pretenses; sham; poseur.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.