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contrebande

contraband, smuggling

noun kohn-truh-BAHND Rare

Usage Note

Contrebande refers both to illegal goods and the act of smuggling them. The phrase en contrebande means 'smuggled' or 'illegally'. A contrebandier is a smuggler, and the activity was historically associated with tobacco and alcohol across French borders.

Examples

"Les douaniers ont saisi la contrebande au port."

Natural Translation

The customs officers seized the contraband at the port.

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