English Explanatory Dictionary

theft

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The act of stealing property.

Pronunciation

/θɛft/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-theft.wav

Word forms

theft thefts

Etymology

From Middle English theft, thefte, þefte, þefþe, þiefþe, Old English þīefþ, from Proto-West Germanic *þiubiþu, from Proto-Germanic *þiubiþō, from *þeubaz (“thief”), equivalent to thief or thieve + -t (abstract nominal suffix). Cognate with Old Frisian thiuvethe, thiufthe (“theft”), dialectal Dutch diefte (“theft”), obsolete German Diebde (“theft”), Icelandic þýfð (“theft”).

Synonyms

bargain burglary larceny heist give-away pinching robbery steal stealing theft thievery five-finger discount midnight requisition moonlight requisition manifest destiny

Related words

thief thieve nick steal TWOC

Derived words

grand theft grand theft auto identity theft joke theft petty theft retail theft theft by finding time theft wage theft wind theft
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