To trick someone or deceive them into giving up money or property through dishonest means; to cheat someone deliberately.
From Latin 'defraudare' ('de-' meaning away, 'fraudare' meaning to cheat), used in legal English since the 1500s.
The word 'defraud' specifically means deliberate trickery for money—it's not just lying, it's lying with the goal of taking someone's property—which is why it's a serious crime while regular lying usually isn't.
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