shark´like´

shark¹ «shahrk», noun.

any one of a group of fishes, mostly marine, certain kinds of which are large and ferocious and eat other fishes or are sometimes dangerous to man. Sharks have streamlined, spindlelike bodies, with gill slits on the sides and thick, dull-colored skin, and swim by movements of the tail.

╂[origin uncertain]

–shark´like´, adjective.

shark² «shahrk», noun, verb.

–n.

1. a dishonest person who preys on others.

2. Slang. a person unusually good at something; expert: »

a shark at bridge.

–v.i.

1. to act or live by preying on others; live by trickery.

2. to be a cardsharp.

–v.t.

1. to obtain by trickery, fraud, or theft.

2. Archaic. to collect quickly.

╂[probably < shark¹]