I. ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌfit 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
II. verb
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
: to imitate or feign especially with intent to deceive ; also : to make a fraudulent replica of
counterfeit ing $20 bills
intransitive verb
1. : to try to deceive by pretense or dissembling
2. : to engage in counterfeiting something of value
Synonyms: see assume
• coun·ter·feit·er noun
III. noun
Date: 15th century
1. : something counterfeit : forgery
2. : something likely to be mistaken for something of higher value
pity was a counterfeit of love — Harry Hervey
Synonyms: see imposture