n.
Function: noun
Etymology: earlier cheat forfeited property, from Middle English chet escheat, short for eschete ― more at ESCHEAT
Date: 1615
1 : the act or an instance of fraudulently deceiving : DECEPTION , FRAUD
2 : one that cheats : PRETENDER , DECEIVER
3 [probably from a deceptive resemblance to grain] a : CHESS 1 b : CHEATGRASS
4 : the obtaining of property from another by an intentional active distortion of the truth