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Definition of Thief
1. Noun. A criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it.
Specialized synonyms: Bandit, Brigand, Booster, Lifter, Shoplifter, Burglar, Dacoit, Dakoit, Defalcator, Embezzler, Peculator, Body Snatcher, Ghoul, Graverobber, Graverobber, Holdup Man, Stickup Man, Larcener, Larcenist, Cutpurse, Dip, Pickpocket, Literary Pirate, Pirate, Plagiariser, Plagiarist, Plagiarizer, Despoiler, Freebooter, Looter, Pillager, Plunderer, Raider, Spoiler, Robber, Cattle Thief, Rustler, Cracksman, Safebreaker, Safecracker, Snatcher, Pilferer, Sneak Thief, Snitcher
Generic synonyms: Criminal, Crook, Felon, Malefactor, Outlaw
Derivative terms: Steal
Definition of Thief
1. n. One who steals; one who commits theft or larceny. See Theft.
Definition of Thief
1. Noun. One who has carried out a theft ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Definition of Thief
1. one that steals [n THIEVES] - See also: steals
Medical Definition of Thief
1. Origin: OE. Thef, theef, AS. Eof; akin to OFries. Thiaf, OS. Theof, thiof, D. Dief, G. Dieb, OHG. Diob, Icel. Jofr, Sw. Tjuf, Dan. Tyv, Goth. Iufs, iubs, and perhaps to Lith. Tupeti to squat or crouch down. Cf. Theft. 1. One who steals; one who commits theft or larceny. See Theft. "There came a privy thief, men clepeth death." (Chaucer) "Where thieves break through and steal." (Matt. Vi. 19) 2. A waster in the snuff of a candle. Thief catcher. Same as Thief taker. Thief leader, one who leads or takes away a thief. Thief taker, one whose business is to find and capture thieves and bring them to justice. Thief tube, a tube for withdrawing a sample of a liquid from a cask. Thieves' vinegar, a kind of aromatic vinegar for the sick room, taking its name from the story that thieves, by using it, were enabled to plunder, with impunity to health, in the great plague at London. Synonym: Robber, pilferer. Thief, Robber. A thief takes our property by stealth; a robber attacks us openly, and strips us by main force. "Take heed, have open eye, for thieves do foot by night." (Shak) "Some roving robber calling to his fellows." (Milton) Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Thief
Literary usage of Thief
Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:
1. The History of the Adventures of Joseph Andrews, and His Friend Mr. Abraham by Henry Fielding (1749)
"... as we have faid, to the Inn, in order to convey the thief before the ...
When the Company had retired the Evening before, the thief was detained in a ..."
2. Fifty Contemporary One-act Plays by Frank Shay, Pierre Loving (1920)
"thief. That! Old luster? That jug won't be four years old its next birthday. ...
This darling hawthorne vase — thief. Please take it away. ..."
3. Fifty Contemporary One-act Plays by Frank Shay, Pierre Loving (1920)
"thief. That! Old luster? That jug won't be four years old its next birthday. ...
This darling hawthorne vase — thief. If they were any of them what you call ..."
4. Daniel Defoe: His Life and Recently Discovered Writings: His Life and by Daniel Defoe, William Lee (1869)
"Confession of a thief. Yours, &c. MJ, Feb. 7.—We are told that one of the Criminals
convicted last Sessions, confess'd, among other Robberies, ..."
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