sharking

shark

 (shärk)

n.

1. Any of numerous cartilaginous fishes of the subclass Elasmobranchii that are chiefly carnivorous and marine. Sharks have a streamlined torpedolike body, five to seven gill openings on each side of the head, a large oil-filled liver, and tough skin covered with small toothlike scales.

2. Informal A person, such as a loan shark, who takes advantage of the misfortune of others for personal gain.

3. Informal A person unusually skilled in a particular activity: a card shark.

v. sharked, shark·ing, sharks

v.tr. Archaic

To obtain by deceitful or underhand means.

v.intr.

To take advantage of others for personal gain, especially by fraud and trickery.

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[Origin unknown.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.