counterfeit

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a copy that is represented as the original
  2. verb make a copy of with the intent to deceive
  3. adjective not genuine; imitating something superior

Etymology

From Middle English counterfeit, countrefet, from Anglo-Norman countrefait, from Old French contrefait, from Latin contra- (“against”) + Latin facere (“to make”). Piecewise doublet of contrafactum.

In classic literature

Synonyms

forgery

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