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FindLaw Legal Dictionary

The FindLaw Legal Dictionary -- free access to over 8260 definitions of legal terms. Search for a definition or browse our legal glossaries.

term:

Counterfeit

counterfeit adj

[Middle French contrefait, past participle of contrefaire to imitate, draw, paint, from contre- counter- + faire to make]
: made in imitation of a genuine article (as a document) without authorization and esp. with intent to deceive or defraud
vt : to make an imitation of without authorization and esp. with intent to deceive or defraud [whoever falsely makes, alters, forges, or s any deed "U.S. Code"]
coun·ter·feit·er n

n : something counterfeit [all s of any coins or obligations "U.S. Code"] compare forgery



Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.

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