To act dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage. Can also refer to being sexually unfaithful to a romantic partner.
Originally from Middle English 'chete,' meaning to confiscate property illegally. Derived from 'escheat,' a legal term for property reverting to the state. The meaning evolved from legal confiscation to general dishonest behavior by the 16th century.
The word's journey from a specific legal term about property rights to general dishonesty shows how language adapts to human behavior. The gaming sense of cheating has exploded in the digital age, creating entire industries around detecting and preventing cheats in video games.
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