Definition of "defraud" [de•fraud]

• To take something from by fraud; swindle: defrauded the immigrants by selling them worthless land deeds. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "When used in such a manner the term defraud has a legal rather than a dictionary meaning, and the legal interpretation of fraud or defraud is applied to those acts which seek to obtain that which has monetary value and to do so in an manner deamed illegal."
• "Madigan viewpoint: As the Court noted, speech in furtherance of a scheme to defraud is not speech protected by the First Amendment."
• "Also, since Sauron’s intent was to defraud from the outset, can he gain/profit from his illegal activities?"
• "Thou shalt not defraud, that is, deceive or beguile."