counterfeit
UK: /ˈkaʊntəfɪt/ | US: /ˈkaʊntərfɪt/
n. a fraudulent imitation of something valuable, especially money or documents
adj. made in exact imitation of something valuable with the intent to deceive
vt. to produce a fraudulent copy of something
The word counterfeit emerged in Middle English (13th century) from Anglo-French countrefait, meaning "made in opposition" or "forged." It originally described deliberate imitation to deceive, particularly in currency. The morphemes counter- and -feit logically combine to reflect "made against" (i.e., falsified). Over time, it expanded to include any fraudulent replica.
The bank detected counterfeit bills in the cash deposit.
She was arrested for selling counterfeit designer handbags.
The artist was skilled at counterfeiting famous paintings.
Counterfeit medicines pose serious health risks.
His signature was so well counterfeited that experts couldn’t tell the difference.