A large fish with a cartilaginous skeleton, sharp teeth, and a reputation as a powerful predator. Informally, it can also mean a person who is very skilled at something, often in a slightly sneaky or aggressive way, like a 'card shark'.
Origin uncertain; it appeared in English in the 16th century, possibly from a Germanic or unknown sailor’s word. The figurative sense for a greedy or dishonest person developed later.
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