Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun One that deals dishonestly with others, especially a cheating gambler.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A man shrewd in making bargains; a tricky fellow; a rascal; a cheat in bargaining or gaming.
  • noun A sharpener; an instrument or tool used for sharpening.
  • noun A long, thin oyster.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun A person who bargains closely, especially, one who cheats in bargains; a swinder; also, a cheating gamester.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective comparative form of sharp: more sharp
  • noun dated a swindler; a cheat; a professional gambler who makes his living by cheating.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a professional card player who makes a living by cheating at card games

Etymologies

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Examples

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  • The simper of a simpleton is no bad countermine to the attack of a sharper.

    - Lesage, The Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane, tr. Smollett, bk 4 ch. 7

    September 18, 2008

  • John gambles dreadfully and always loses--poor boy! He is beset by sharpers...

    - Bronte, Jane Eyre, Chapter 21

    October 28, 2009