COUNTERFEIT


Meaning of COUNTERFEIT in English

n.

Pronunciation: ' kau ̇ nt- ə r- ˌ fit

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English countrefet, from Anglo-French cuntrefeit, from past participle of cuntrefere, contrefaire to imitate, from cuntre- + faire to make, from Latin facere ― more at DO

Date: 14th century

1 : made in imitation of something else with intent to deceive : FORGED < counterfeit money>

2 a : INSINCERE , FEIGNED < counterfeit sympathy> b : IMITATION < counterfeit Georgian houses>

Merriam Webster Collegiate English Dictionary.      Merriam Webster - Энциклопедический словарь английского языка.