burglar
[bur-gler]
- a person who commits burglary.
Show More
Origin of burglar
1225–75; Middle English < Anglo-French burgler (compare Anglo-Latin burg(u)lātor), perhaps < Old French *borgl(er) to plunder, pillage (< Gallo-Romance *būriculāre, equivalent to *būric(āre) (Old Low Franconian *būrj(an) to dart at, pounce upon + Vulgar Latin *-icāre v. suffix; compare Old French burgier to strike, hit) + -ulāre v. suffix) + Anglo-French -er -er2; see -ar2
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for burglar
Contemporary Examples
The night Tre arrives, Furious—a Vietnam vet—shoots at a burglar.
He was caught after setting off burglar alarms in the palace.
Security Farce At Palace As Prince Andrew Stopped By Police After Break-InTom Sykes
September 9, 2013
It is the burglar who bears the culpability for walking through an unlocked door, not the homeowner.
Police have denied earlier reports that Pistorius mistook his girlfriend for a burglar.
The burglar was a career criminal, just out of prison after robbing a liquor store with a sawed-off shotgun.
Historical Examples
But I'm not taking any stock in that burglar story—not a little bit!
Within the LawMarvin Dana
John clasped it, and bolted out of the bank as a burglar might have done.
A Woman IntervenesRobert Barr
“Just do the opposite from what it says to do to catch a burglar,” said Billy Getz.
Philo Gubb Correspondence-School DetectiveEllis Parker Butler
The dog is, of course, one of the conditions to be provided for in the burglar's plan.
"Some day the police'll take you for a burglar," said Lydia encouragingly.
burglar
- a person who commits burglary; housebreaker
Show More
Word Origin
C15: from Anglo-French burgler, from Medieval Latin burglātor, probably from burgāre to thieve, from Latin burgus castle, fortress, of Germanic origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for burglar
n.
1540s, shortened from Anglo-Latin burglator (late 13c.), earlier burgator, from Medieval Latin burgator "burglar," from burgare "to break open, commit burglary," from Latin burgus "fortress, castle," a Germanic loan-word akin to borough. The intrusive -l- is perhaps from influence of Latin latro "thief" (see larceny). The native word, Old English burgh-breche, might have influenced the word.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper