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grifter

 - 3 dictionary results

grift⋅er

  [grif-ter]
Use grifter in a Sentence
–noun Slang.
1. a person who operates a side show at a circus, fair, etc., esp. a gambling attraction.
2. a swindler, dishonest gambler, or the like.
Origin:
1910–15; grift + -er 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To grifter
grift   (grĭft)   
n.  

  1. Money made dishonestly, as in a swindle.

  2. A swindle or confidence game.

v.   grift·ed, grift·ing, grifts

v.   intr.
To engage in swindling or cheating.
v.   tr.
To obtain by swindling or cheating.

[Perhaps alteration of graft2.]
grift'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

grifter 
"confidence trickster," 1915, carnival and circus slang, probably an alteration of grafter (see graft (n.)). Gradually extended to "any non-violent criminal."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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