Etymology
Recorded since 1574; from the verb to forge, from Middle English forgen, via Anglo-Norman forger, from Old French forgier, from Latin fabricari (to frame, construct, fabricate), itself from fabrica (workshop, construction), from faber (workman, smith).
Noun
forgery (countable and uncountable, plural forgeries)
- The act of forging metal into shape.
- She specialized in the forgery of horseshoes.
- The act of forging, fabricating, or producing falsely; especially the crime of fraudulently making or altering a writing or signature purporting to be made by another, the false making or material alteration of or addition to a written instrument for the purpose of deceit and fraud.
- Upon realizing that the signed copy of the document was significantly edited compared to the original, it was clear that someone had committed forgery.
- That which is forged, fabricated, falsely devised, or counterfeited.
Usage notes
The non-fraudulent meaning "metalworking" is more usually expressed with the noun forging, or with other words such as metalworking, smithcraft, etc.
Derived terms
- forger
Credits
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