spiv

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spiv

 (spĭv)
n. Chiefly British Slang
1. One, usually unemployed, who lives by one's wits.
2. One who shirks work or responsibility; a slacker.
[Dialectal spif, dandified, dandy.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

spiv

(spɪv)
n
slang Brit a person who makes a living by underhand dealings or swindling; black marketeer
[C20: back formation from dialect spiving smart; compare spiffy, spiffing]
ˈspivvy adj
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

spiv

(spɪv)

n.
Brit. Informal. a petty criminal, esp. a black marketeer, racetrack tout, or petty thief.
[1885–90; back formation from dial. spiving smart; perhaps akin to spiffy]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.spiv - a person without employment who makes money by various dubious schemes; goes about smartly dressed and having a good time
Britain, Great Britain, U.K., UK, United Kingdom, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - a monarchy in northwestern Europe occupying most of the British Isles; divided into England and Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland; `Great Britain' is often used loosely to refer to the United Kingdom
do-nothing, idler, layabout, loafer, bum - person who does no work; "a lazy bum"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations

spiv

[spɪv] N (Brit) → chanchullero m, caballero m de industria; (= slacker) → gandul m; (= black marketeer) → estraperlista mf
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

spiv

[ˈspɪv] n (British) → fricoteur m
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

spiv

n (Brit inf) → schmieriger Typ (inf)
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

spiv

[spɪv] n (Brit) (fam) → imbroglione m
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
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References in periodicals archive ?
Potentially he has a Jaguar dealership on his hands but runs it like a spivvish secondhand-car salesman.
Ashley's cheap trick with Benitez could cost Toon dear
Meanwhile, out on the streets a dismayed member of the public bit into his revolting "Rejuvenate" and told Joseph: "It's almost like it's gone off." Which spivvish Joe translated into: "They said it was amazing."
Still flogging the nightmare
He begins a relationship with Matt, a spivvish local with a sideline in phone sex, but becomes obsessed with his pupil.
Forms of beauty: moving beyond desire in Bersani/Dutoit and Beau Travail

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