bootleg

present singular third person bootlegs · participle present bootlegging · participle past bootlegged · past bootlegged

1. ambitransitiveTo engage in bootlegging.

   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.

   2010, Theodore Dalrymple, Our Culture, What’s Left of It

   1. USambitransitiveTo make, transport and/or sell illegal alcoholic liquor.

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

      1 more example

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

   2. ambitransitiveTo make, transport and/or sell an illegal version or copy of a copyrighted product.

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

      1 more example

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

   3. USambitransitiveTo operate a mine illicitly.

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

      1 more example

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

plural bootlegs

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

   Holonyms: upper < boot

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

   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.

   Synonyms: contraband

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

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

4. entertainmentA 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. American footballA play in which the quarterback fakes a handoff, conceals the ball against his hip, and rolls out.

1. not comparableIllegally produced, transported, or sold.

   Near-synonym: pirated

   Synonyms: pirated

2. not comparableBeing an inferior imitation of something, possibly a counterfeit.

   bootleg coffee

   Synonyms: ersatz