Shark Definition
shärk
sharks
noun
A person who victimizes others, as by swindling or cheating.
Webster's New World
Any of various orders of cartilaginous fishes that are usually large and mostly marine, having a tough, spiny, usually slate-gray skin, separate lateral gill openings, and a slender, rounded body with the mouth on the underside: most sharks are fish-eaters, and some will attack humans.
Webster's New World
A person, such as a loan shark, who takes advantage of the misfortune of others for personal gain.
American Heritage
A person with great ability in a given activity; adept; expert.
Webster's New World
verb
To obtain by deceitful or underhand means.
American Heritage
To get or live by fraud or stratagems.
Webster's New World
To take advantage of others for personal gain, especially by fraud and trickery.
American Heritage
(obsolete) To pick or gather indiscriminately or covertly.
Wiktionary
Other Word Forms of Shark
Noun
Singular:
sharkPlural:
sharksOrigin of Shark
First attested in the 1560s, the word meaning 'scaleless fish' is of uncertain origin: it was apparently brought to England, with a specimen, by John Hawkins. The word may derive from the Yucatec Maya xoc, or it may be an application of the "scoundrel" sense (which derives from the German Schurke (“scoundrel")) to the fish; no explanation is agreed upon.
From Wiktionary
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Perhaps from the noun, or perhaps related to shear.
From Wiktionary
-
From the German Schurke (“scoundrel").
From Wiktionary
Origin unknown
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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