Main Entry: char·la·tan

Pronunciation: \ˈshär-lə-tən\

Function: noun

Etymology: Italian ciarlatano, alteration of cerretano, literally, inhabitant of Cerreto, from Cerreto, Italy

Date: 1618

1 : quack 2
2 : one making usually showy pretenses to knowledge or ability : fraud, faker

— char·la·tan·ism \-tə-ˌni-zəm\ noun

— char·la·tan·ry \-rē\ noun