: a representation that a past or present material fact is true which is made in any manner or form with the intention of inducing someone to act thereon and by one who either knows of its falsity or is ignorant of its truth or falsity or who acts recklessly without regard to its truth and which in some jurisdictions requires an actual intention to deceive for one to be held liable for damages but which is even without such intention sometimes fraudulent in law and ground for avoiding a contract compare deceit, misrepresentation, warranty
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