ILL-GOTTEN

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does ill-gotten mean? 

• ILL-GOTTEN (adjective)
  The adjective ILL-GOTTEN has 1 sense:

1. obtained illegally or by improper means

  Familiarity information: ILL-GOTTEN used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ILL-GOTTEN (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Obtained illegally or by improper means

Synonyms:

dirty; ill-gotten

Context example:

ill-gotten gains

Similar:

illegal (prohibited by law or by official or accepted rules)

 Context examples 

The exclusion from his clubs would mean ruin to Moran, who lived by his ill-gotten card-gains.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He had not retired to rest, and his ill-gotten gains were spread out upon the dressing-table.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

But if it be your wish to loll and loiter in these glades, bartering glory and renown for vile gold and ill-gotten riches, then ye must find another leader; for I have lived in honor, and in honor I trust that I shall die.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

My husband came to England with his ill-gotten gains and has lived in quiet ever since, knowing well that if the Brotherhood knew where he was not a week would pass before justice would be done.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)