▪ I. sharper1
(ˈʃɑːpə(r))
[f. sharp v. + -er1.]
1. One who or something which ‘sharps’ or sharpens.
| 1567 J. Maplet Gr. Forest 42 The Latine worde [sc. fæniculum: cf. It. finocchio] signifieth, that it should be sharper of the eiesight. 1611 Florio, Aguzzatore, a grinder..of any weapon. Also a sharper. a 1891 Elect. Rev. (Amer.) XV. vii. 10 (Cent.) Upright drills, milling machines, sharpers, etc. |
2. A cheat, swindler, rogue; one who lives by his wits and by taking advantage of the simplicity of others; esp. a fraudulent gamester. Cf. shark n.2
| 1681 Luttrell Brief Rel. (1857) I. 99 Many of them sharpers about town. 1709 Prior Cupid & Ganymede 45 A Sharper, that with Box and Dice Draws in young Deities to Vice. 1742 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. to Montagu 22 Mar. (1893) II. 102, I hear he [sc. her son] avoided coming near the sharpers, and is grown a good manager of his money. 1819 Scott Let. in Lockhart (1837) IV. ix. 301 The resort of black-legs and sharpers. 1894 Maskelyne Sharps & Flats iv. 72 [He] falls an easy prey to the sharper. |
† 3. (See quot.) Obs.
| 1768 Pennant Brit. Zool. II. 334 A bird, acquainted with the nets, is by the birdcatchers termed a sharper. |
4. attrib. and Comb. (sense 2).
| 1822 Byron Vis. Judgm. xciv, With a hook nose and a hawk's eye, which gave A smart and sharper-looking sort of grace. 1842 Mrs. Gore Fascination 22 Where is your master, pray?—Your sharper marquis. |
▪ II. ˈsharper2 U.S.
[f. sharp a. + -er1.]
An oyster having the end of the shell unusually sharp.
| 1881 Ingersoll Oyster-Industr. (Hist. Fish. Industr. U.S.) 248 Sharpers, elongated, protruding, sharp-ended oysters, dangerous to the feet in moving about the reefs (Gulf coast). 1887 Goode, etc. Fish. Industr. U.S. v. II. 548. |