Forms: 7–8 chicaneur, 8 chicanner, 8– chicaner. [a. F. chicaneur, f. chicaner (see prec.); afterwards taken as f. CHICANE v. + -ER1.]
One who practises chicanery; a pettifogging lawyer; a quibbler, caviller, shifty man.
1694. R. L’Estrange, Fables, ccccxxi. (ed. 6), 455. A Quarrelsom Plaintiff and Defendant, and a Brace of Chicaneurs to Blow the Coals.
a. 1704. Locke, Posth. Wks., 16. To distinguish a logical Chicanner from a Man of Reason.
1742. North, Ld. Guilford, II. 73 (D.). The knavish confederating officers, and other chicaneurs that belong to the court.
1791. Burke, Corr. (1844), III. 288. All men are not courtiers or chicaners.
1869. Public Opin., 15 May (article), The Chicaner of the Exchequer.
