spiv
[ spiv ]
/ spɪv /
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noun British Informal.
a petty criminal, especially a black marketeer, racetrack tout, or petty thief.
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Origin of spiv
1885–90; back formation from dial. spiving smart; perhaps akin to spiffy
Words nearby spiv
spittle insect, spittoon, spit up, spitz, spitzenburg, spiv, spivvy, splad, 'splain, splake, splanchnapophysis
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
British Dictionary definitions for spiv
spiv
/ (spɪv) /
noun
British slang a person who makes a living by underhand dealings or swindling; black marketeer
Derived forms of spiv
spivvy, adjectiveWord Origin for spiv
C20: back formation from dialect spiving smart; compare spiffy, spiffing
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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