spiv

[ spiv ]

nounBritish Informal.
  1. a petty criminal, especially a black marketeer, racetrack tout, or petty thief.

Origin of spiv

1
1885–90; back formation from dial. spiving smart; perhaps akin to spiffy

Words Nearby spiv

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for spiv

spiv

/ (spɪv) /


noun
  1. British slang a person who makes a living by underhand dealings or swindling; black marketeer

Origin of spiv

1
C20: back formation from dialect spiving smart; compare spiffy, spiffing

Derived forms of spiv

  • spivvy, adjective

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