shark

¹

[ shahrk ]

noun

1. any of a group of elongate elasmobranch, mostly marine fishes, certain species of which are large, voracious, and sometimes dangerous to humans.

shark

²

[ shahrk ]

noun

1. a person who preys greedily on others, as by cheating or usury.
2. Informal. a person who has unusual ability in a particular field.

verb (used with object)

1. Archaic. to obtain by trickery or fraud; steal.

verb (used without object)

1. Archaic. to live by shifts and stratagems.

shark

¹

/ ʃɑːk /

noun

1. a person who preys on or victimizes others, esp by swindling or extortion

verb

1. archaic.
   to obtain (something) by cheating or deception

shark

²

/ ʃɑːk /

noun

1. any of various usually ferocious selachian fishes, typically marine with a long body, two dorsal fins, rows of sharp teeth, and between five and seven gill slits on each side of the head

Derived Forms

• ˈsharkˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• sharklike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shark¹

First recorded in 1560–70; origin uncertain

Origin of shark²

1590–1600; < German dialect Schork, variant of Schurke rascal

Word History and Origins

Origin of shark¹

C18: probably from German Schurke rogue; perhaps also influenced by shark ¹

Origin of shark²

C16: of uncertain origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. jump the shark, Informal. to begin a decline in quality, popularity, relevance, etc., after reaching a peak:

   Some TV shows have jumped the shark once a popular cast member left the show.

Example Sentences

Hart and one of his co-authors on a study recently published in Current Biology, biologist Laura Ryan, are planning to install similarly patterned LED lights on the bottoms of surfboards to see whether that can help reduce the risk of shark attacks.

From Los Angeles Times

But for decades, the data on all such shark repellents have been “ambiguous,” said Chris Lowe, a marine biologist and director of the Shark Lab at Cal State Long Beach, who had not read the new Australian study.

From Los Angeles Times

“How important is it that a shark can’t see you if it can still smell you and feel you,” Lowe asked.

From Los Angeles Times

Since 2000, millions of people have splashed around in the waters off the California coast, but there have been only 127 shark incidents recorded by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

From Los Angeles Times

An “incident” is when someone is approached and touched by a shark, or the shark touches their surfboard, paddleboard or similar mode of transport.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• charlatan
• con artist
• crook
• hypocrite
• impostor
• rascal
• rogue
• swindler
• trickster