thieve

American  

[theev] / θiv /

verb (used with object)

thieved, thieving

1. to take by theft; steal.

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verb (used without object)

thieved, thieving

1. to act as a thief; commit theft; steal.

thieve British  

/ θiːv /

verb

1. to steal (someone's possessions)

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Usage

What does thieve mean? To thieve is to steal—to commit theft.A person who thieves is a thief. The words thief and theft are often used in situations in which a person steals in secret and without using force or violence. However, the word thieve is used in the context of all kinds of thefts, even violent ones. Thieve often implies that such thieving is done habitually or as part of a criminal lifestyle.The related word thievery can mean the same thing as theft, but it typically refers to the practice of thieving—thieves lead a life of thieving and thievery.Thieve is sometimes followed by the thing that will be or has been stolen, as in I just realized my kids have been thieving the coins from the fountain. Thieve should not be confused with a form of the noun thief or its plural, thieves.Example: He is a pirate, a rogue—he thieves and plunders without remorse.

Other Word Forms

• outthieve verb (used with object)
• thievery noun
• thievingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of thieve

before 950; Old English thēofian, derivative of theōf thief (not recorded in ME)

Example Sentences

Alcutt recently encountered a woman who was part of a suspected thieving group processing stolen copper in an encampment.

From The Wall Street Journal

Nick is bedeviled by his thieving foes, fascinated by them, and now has nothing to lose.

From Los Angeles Times

She plays a thieving fox whom Po apprehends stealing relics.

From Los Angeles Times

Sentencing, the district judge said: "Seemingly, even the birds are not beyond your thieving grasp. You may conceive of these as just eggs but they are protected. This was a deplorable thing to do."

From BBC

Nate Craig, a vocal fan of Pilates classes featuring large glass windows, admits, “A couple of years ago I got my identity stolen … thieved … married is what I meant.”

From Los Angeles Times