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Glite Dictionary
moon-curser

moon-curser

9.9
A person who brings goods into or out of a country secretly to avoid paying taxes
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : contrabandista
  • The authorities finally caught the notorious moon-curser as he tried to bring contraband across the border.

Examples

  • Many moon-cursers operate at night to avoid detection.

  • Stories of moon-cursers were common along the coastline during the age of sail.

  • The old inn was rumored to be a hideout for moon-cursers and their hidden treasures.

  • The moon-curser was caught smuggling goods across the border.

  • During the 18th century, many moon-cursers evaded customs by transporting illegal goods under the cover of darkness.

  • The local legend spoke of a moon-curser who managed to elude capture for years while smuggling rare spices.

  • Authorities increased patrols to catch moon-cursers who were sneaking cases of whiskey past the bay.

Synonyms

smuggler
vsmoon-curser
  • NSFW
89 3.8

A person who secretly moves goods across borders to avoid paying tax

focuses on avoiding duties specifically rather than taxes
runner
vsmoon-curser
53 8.3

A person who brings goods into a country without paying customs

is the general illegal import/export role without stressing customs
moon curser
vsmoon-curser
  • NSFW
9.9

A person who secretly brings goods into or out of a country to avoid paying taxes

is the hyphenated written form of that same role
contrabandist
vsmoon-curser
  • NSFW
9.9

A person who moves goods across a border illegally, often to avoid taxes

is the everyday term for the same illegal import/export activity

Surface Forms

moon-curser singular
moon-cursers plural

Morphology

moon-curser = moon + curse (opaque) = moon + curse + er

Although formed from 'moon' + 'curse' + '-er', the meaning 'smuggler' is not directly derivable from those parts and reflects an idiomatic/historical sense.

Etymology

The word moon-curser is easy to remember: it joins moon ('night') and curse ('danger' or 'bad name') to paint the picture of people moving goods by night to avoid the law. So a moon-curser is a smuggler who brings goods across borders without paying taxes.