forgery

forg·ery

noun \ˈfȯrj-rē, ˈfȯr-jə-\

plural forg·er·ies

Definition of FORGERY

1

archaic : invention

2

: something forged

3

: an act of forging; especially : the crime of falsely and fraudulently making or altering a document (as a check)

Examples of FORGERY

1. <that is a cheap forgery, not an authentic Ming Dynasty vase>

First Known Use of FORGERY

1583

Related to FORGERY

Synonyms

counterfeit, fake, hoax, humbug, phony (also phoney), sham

Related Words

copycat, knockoff; copy, facsimile, replica, reproduction; dummy, mock-up; fraud, gaff, imposture, spoof, swindle; simulation, synthetic; bastard, brummagem, duffer, shoddy

Near Antonyms

original

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

forgery

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In law, the making of a false writing with the intent to defraud. “Writing” need not be handwriting: the law of forgery also covers printing, engraving, and keyboarding. Counterfeiting is usually regarded as a specific type of forgery. Checks, negotiable instruments, contracts, wills, and deeds are examples of documents that may be forged. Evidence may also be forged. Forgery requires fraudulent intent; it is not forgery to sign another's name, fill in blanks, or alter a genuine writing in the honest, though mistaken, belief that such conduct is authorized.