Cŏn'tra-bănd1, a.
a. [See infra.] Prohibited by law or treaty; forbidden.
The articles between France and this state for contraband goods. Temple.
The contraband will always keep pace, in some measure, with the fair trade. Burke.
3 entries under this word
Contraband
Cŏn'tra-bănd2, n.
n. [Fr. contrebande, Sp. contrabando, It. contrabbando, L. Lat. contrabannum, properly, contrary to public proclamation. See BAN.] 1. Prohibited merchandise or traffic. Contraband of war, goods which neutrals are prohibited from carrying during war to the belligerent parties, or which a belligerent has, by the law of nations, the right of preventing a neutral from furnishing to an enemy, and which is liable to seizure and confiscation, as warlike munitions, &c. Burrill. 2. A negro slave. [U. S.] ☞ The term was first employed by Gen. B. F. Butler, in the time of the Great Rebellion (1861), from the fact that such negroes were capable of being used in carrying on military operations, and were thus contraband of war.
Cŏn'tra-bănd3, v. t.
v. t. 1. To import, as prohibited goods. [Obs.] Johnson. 2. To declare prohibited; to forbid. [Obs.] The law severely contrabands Our taking business off men's hands. Hudibras.