blackleg
noun
black·leg ˈblak-ˌleg 
-ˌlāg
1
: a usually fatal toxemia especially of young cattle caused by a soil bacterium (Clostridium chauvoei)
2
: a cheating gambler : swindler
3
chiefly British : a worker hostile to trade unionism or acting in opposition to union policies : scab
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Herding Sheep with Bill There was no contradicting his calendarOf superstitions – the feast of some saint or otherThe sheep had to be herded off the mountain,Culled and counted, dipped andDoctored with shots for blackleg. 
Hartford Courant, courant.com, 11 Mar. 2018
Hartford Courant, courant.com, 11 Mar. 2018 Word History
First Known Use
circa 1722, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Medical Definition
blackleg
noun
black·leg ˈblak-ˌleg, -ˌlāg
: an enzootic usually fatal toxemia especially of young cattle caused by toxins produced by an anaerobic soil bacterium of the genus Clostridium (C. chauvoei synonym C. feseri)
called also black quarter, quarter evil, quarter ill, symptomatic anthrax
compare black disease, malignant edemablacklegs
noun
as in schemers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- schemers
- knaves
- plotters
- cardsharps
- slicksters
- slickers
- sneakers
- mountebanks
- rascals
- cardsharpers
- rogues
- humbugs
- sneaks
- charlatans
- sharpers
- quacks
- fakers
- foxes
- wheeler-dealers
- phoneys
- pretenders
- impostors
- chiselers
- slyboots
- swindlers
- fox
- pranksters
- defrauders
- bluffers
- skinners
- phonies
- imposters
- fast-talkers
- dodgers
- adventurers
- ringers
- cheaters
- double-crossers
- slicks
- gamesmen
- fakes
- smoothies
- fakirs
- bilks
- scammers
- fraudsters
- cheats
- cozeners
- quacksalvers
- sharpies
- tricksters
- scamsters
- trickers
- confidence men
- bilkers
- shams
- sharks
- chisellers
- finaglers
- hoaxers
- double-dealers
