purloin

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To take the property of another, often in breach of trust; to appropriate wrongfully; to steal.
  2. To commit theft; to thieve.

Pronunciation

/pɜːˈlɔɪn/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-purloin.wav

Word forms

purloin purloins purloining purloined

Etymology

From Middle English purloynen (“to remove”), borrowed from Anglo-Norman purloigner (“to put far away”), one of the variants of Old French porloignier. Doublet of prolong.

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