Contraband word meaning and definition

[noun] goods whose importation or exportation or possession is prohibited by law
[adjective] distributed or sold illicitly; "the black economy pays no taxes"

\Con"tra*band\, n. [It. contrabando; contra + bando ban, proclamation: cf. F. contrebande. See {Ban} an edict.] 1. Illegal or prohibited traffic. Persons the most bound in duty to prevent contraband, and the most interested in the seizures. --Burke. 2. Goods or merchandise the importation or exportation of which is forbidden. 3. A negro slave, during the Civil War, escaped to, or was brought within, the Union lines. Such slave was considered contraband of war. [U.S.] {Contraband of war}, that which, according to international law, cannot be supplied to a hostile belligerent except at the risk of seizure and condemnation by the aggrieved belligerent. --Wharton.
\Con"tra*band\, a. Prohibited or excluded by law or treaty; forbidden; as, contraband goods, or trade. The contraband will always keep pace, in some measure, with the fair trade. --Burke.
\Con"tra*band\, v. t. 1. To import illegally, as prohibited goods; to smuggle. [Obs.] --Johnson. 2. To declare prohibited; to forbid. [Obs.] The law severly contrabands Our taking business of men's hands. --Hudibras.

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