chicaner
(ʃɪˈkeɪnə(r))
Forms: 7–8 chicaneur, 8 chicanner, 8– chicaner.
[a. F. chicaneur, f. chicaner (see prec.); afterwards taken as f. chicane v. + -er1.]
One who practises chicanery; a pettifogging lawyer; a quibbler, caviller, shifty man.
| 1694 R. L'Estrange Fables (ed. 6) 455 A Quarrelsom Plaintiff and Defendant, and a Brace of Chicaneurs. a 1704 Locke Posth. Wks. 16 To distinguish a logical Chicanner from a Man of Reason. 1742 North Ld. Guilford II. 73 (D.) The knavish confederating officers, and other chicaneurs that belong to the court. 1791 Burke Corr. (1844) III. 288 All men are not courtiers or chicaners. 1869 Public Opin. 15 May (article) The Chicaner of the Exchequer. |