contraband

English

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA: /ˈkɒn.tɹəˌbænd/

Noun

Wikipedia contraband (usually uncountable; plural contrabands)

1. (uncountable) any goods which are illicit or illegal to possess
2. (uncountable) goods which are prohibited from being traded, smuggled goods
3. (countable, US, historical) A black slave during the American Civil War who had escaped to, or been captured by, Union forces.
   • 1988, James McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom, Oxford 2003, p. 497:

     While some Yanks treated contrabands with a degree of equity or benevolence, the more typical response was indifference, contempt, or cruelty.

Translations

goods which are prohibited from being traded, smuggled goods

Bulgarian: контрабанда (bg) (kontrabanda) f. Czech: kontraband (cs) m. French: contrebande (fr) f.

Hungarian: csempészáru (hu) Italian: contrabbando (it) Russian: контрабанда (ru) (kontrabánda) f.

Adjective

contraband (comparative more contraband, superlative most contraband)

1. prohibited from being traded
   • 1940 - The Code of Federal Regulations of the United States of America: Having ... - Division of the Federal Register, the National Archives - Page 2191

     "[...] when the seizure is made in connection with a violation involving a contraband article covered by section 1 (b) (1) of the said Act; [...]"

   • 1953 - United States, United States. President, United States. Congress - United States Code Congressional and Administrative News - Page 2039

     "The exclusion of mandatory payment of moieties for seizures of contraband controlled substances is accomplished through Section 17 of the bill, [...]"

   • 1899 - Albert William Chaster - The Powers, Duties and Liabilities of Executive Officers as Between These ... - Stevens and Haynes - Page 55

     "4. Contraband goods may be seized if found in a river before they are landed or offered for sale."