purloin
verb (used with object)
to take dishonestly; steal; filch; pilfer.
had purloined
-
past perfectof purloin.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ronald Reagan insisted his glossy locks were naturally brown and claimed that reporters had purloined clippings from his barber’s floor to prove him wrong.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 6, 2019
Northrop, the maker of the B-2 “stealth bomber”, sued to stop him, claiming that the man had purloined and even harmed the reputation of their trademark.
From Economist ● Sep. 7, 2017
Two heavily laden sequels followed, and by 2007 the three films had purloined $2.7 billion at the worldwide box office.
From Time ● May 14, 2011
The excellent man was soon on the scene, and whilst he stuffed underclothing, towels and other necessary gear into a bag he had purloined from someone's room, I rang up Zoe.
From The Diary of a U-boat Commander With an Introduction and Explanatory Notes by Etienne by Sir Stephen King-Hall
I felt my mouth drawing down at the corners, and I buried my lips in the American Beauty rose the sculptor had purloined from the centre-piece.
From My Actor-Husband A true story of American stage life by Anonymous
