v. & n.
--v.
1. tr. a (often foll. by into, out of) deceive or trick (cheated into parting with his savings). b (foll. by of) deprive of (cheated of a chance to reply).
2 intr. gain unfair advantage by deception or breaking rules, esp. in a game or examination.
3 tr. avoid (something undesirable) by luck or skill (cheated the bad weather).
4 tr. archaic divert attention from, beguile (time, tedium, etc.).
--n.
1. a person who cheats.
2 a trick, fraud, or deception.
3 an act of cheating.
Phrases and idioms:
cheat on colloq. be sexually unfaithful to.
Derivatives:
cheatingly adv.
Etymology: ME chete f. achete, var. of ESCHEAT