fake
UK[feɪk]US[feɪk]
adj
Not genuine; imitation or counterfeit.
n
A thing that is not genuine; a forgery or sham.
v
To forge or counterfeit something; to pretend to have a feeling or illness.
Etymology
The precise origin of 'fake' is obscure, but it likely emerged from the criminal underworld of London in the late 1700s. One prominent theory suggests it derives from the German verb 'fegen', meaning 'to polish' or 'to sweep', which in thieves' cant evolved to mean 'to clean out' (a house) and later 'to do for' or 'to kill'. Another theory links it to the earlier English word 'feak' or 'feague', meaning to beat or thrash. From these rough, concrete actions associated with deception and rough treatment, the term was abstracted to its modern, broad meaning of anything not genuine or any act of pretense, shedding its violent connotations in the process.
Analysis
The word 'fake' is a simplex word of uncertain origin. It is considered a cant (thieves' slang) term from the late 18th century. Its functional role is as a complete lexical root.
Examples
She was wearing a fake fur coat.
The painting was discovered to be a clever fake.
He tried to fake his own signature, but the forgery was obvious.