bootleg — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To engage in bootlegging.

   Usage

   • Transitive or intransitive

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Only certain dishes are allowed—-not fish and lobster, reserved to the state restaurants—-and those paladares that break the rules operate like speakeasies in the time of Prohibition, the fish-bootlegging owners keeping a nervous eye out for informers.

2. To engage in bootlegging. To make, transport and/or sell illegal alcoholic liquor.

   Usage

   • US usage
   • Transitive or intransitive

   Examples

   In the 1930s, Grandpa used to bootleg to make ends meet.

   In the 1930s, Grandpa used to bootleg whiskey from a still hidden in the backwoods.

3. To engage in bootlegging. To make, transport and/or sell an illegal version or copy of a copyrighted product.

   Usage

   • Transitive or intransitive

   Examples

   In the 1990s, Grandpa used to bootleg under some sort of Robin-Hood-esque notion.

   In the 1990s, Grandpa used to bootleg Windows CD-ROMs.

4. To engage in bootlegging. To operate a mine illicitly.

   Usage

   • US usage
   • Transitive or intransitive

   Examples

   In the 1930s, Grandpa used to bootleg to make ends meet.

   In the 1930s, Grandpa used to bootleg coal from a shaft hidden in the backwoods.

Noun

1. The part of a boot that is above the instep.

   Examples

   Holonyms: upper < boot

2. An illegally produced, transported, or sold product.

   Synonyms

   contraband

   Examples

   He thinks he can cross this border with bootleg and get away with it. I doubt he's right. Maybe years ago, but not nowadays.

3. An unauthorized recording; for example, of a live concert.

   Examples

   Years ago I heard a fantastic bootleg of that song. It was my favorite rendition.

4. A remix or mashup that is a combination of two songs but that is not authorized and audited for copyright use; primarily in the electronic music scene.

5. A play in which the quarterback fakes a handoff, conceals the ball against his hip, and rolls out.

Adjective

1. Illegally produced, transported, or sold.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Synonyms

   pirated

   Examples

   Near-synonym: pirated

2. Being an inferior imitation of something, possibly a counterfeit.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Synonyms

   ersatz

   Examples

   bootleg coffee

Adjective

1. distributed or sold illicitly

   Synonyms

   blackblack-marketcontrabandsmuggled

   Examples

   the black economy pays no taxes

Noun

1. whiskey illegally distilled from a corn mash

   Synonyms

   moonshinecorn liquor

   Broader terms

   corn whiskeycorn whiskycorn

2. the part of a boot above the instep

   Broader terms

   covering

Verb

1. sell illicit products such as drugs or alcohol

   Broader terms

   sell

   Examples

   They were bootlegging whiskey

2. produce or distribute illegally

   Broader terms

   producemakecreate

   Examples

   bootleg tapes of the diva's singing