Definition of Cheat

Swindling; defrauding, "pecoitful practices in defrauding or endeavoring to defraud another of his known right, by some willful device, contrary to the plain rnies of common honesty." Hawk. P. C. b. 2, c. 23, § 1. "The fraudulent obtaining the property of another by any deceitfni and illegal practice or token (short of felony) which affects or may affect the public." Steph. Crim. Law, 93. Cheats, punishable at common law, are such cheats (not amounting to felony) as are effected by deceitful or lllegal symbols or tokens which may affect the public at large, and against which common prudence could not have guarded. 2 Whart Crim. Law, § 1116; 2 East, P. C. 818; People v. Babcock, 7 Johns. (N. Y.) 201, 5 Am. Dec. 256; Von Mumm v. Frash (C. C.) 56 Fed. 836; State v. Parker, 48 N. H. 85.