pelf
- noun
- /pɛlf/
- Archaic
- Although he amassed a fortune, much of it was considered pelf due to the unethical deals he made.
Examples
-
He was ashamed to admit that he had gained his wealth through dubious means, as many viewed his success as mere pelf.
-
Pelf's days as a Met are numbered.
Blog text (9) -
Look at last year... anyone had Pelf going down with season-ending surgery early on?
Blog text (33) -
So interesting to have desire expressed in terms of 'pelf'—coinage, accrual.
Blog text (31) -
The politician was criticized for prioritizing pelf over the community's needs, showing a lack of integrity.
Synonyms
Things stolen from shops during chaos
Money gained in a dishonest or unfair way
Money that people get by dishonest or wrong actions
Money gained in a dishonest or illegal way
Antonyms
Compounds
How Much
Surface Forms
Etymology
Pelf comes from an old French word pelfre meaning 'booty' or 'loot'. That's why pelf now means money or wealth that is seen as 'shameful' or 'gained in a dishonorable way'.