bilk
UK[bɪlk]US[bɪlk]
v
To cheat or defraud someone, especially by not paying money owed.
v
To evade payment or escape from.
Etymology
The origin of 'bilk' is somewhat obscure, but it is most likely a variant of the 17th-century slang term 'balk', which meant to thwart or disappoint. This connection suggests a semantic evolution from the idea of leaving someone in the lurch or frustrating their expectations, particularly in a financial context. The word became firmly established in the context of swindling, especially by evading payment, as seen in its association with cheating at cribbage. Its journey into modern English reflects a classic pattern where a general term for deception or disappointment narrows to a specific, financially fraudulent act.
Analysis
The word 'bilk' is considered a simplex word. It does not contain separable morphemes from its current English spelling that contribute independent meaning.
Examples
The contractor bilked the homeowners out of thousands of dollars by taking a deposit and never starting the work.
He was known for bilking investors with elaborate but fake business schemes.
The customer tried to bilk the restaurant by leaving without paying the bill.