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pilferage

[pil-fer-ij]
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noun
  1. the act or practice of pilfering; petty theft.
  2. something that is pilfered.
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Origin of pilferage

First recorded in 1620–30; pilfer + -age
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

misappropriationthievingstealthieverycrimetouchliftpinchrobberystealingburglarytheftpilfering

Examples from the Web for pilferage

Historical Examples

  • The imperfect protection of a tarpaulin was, and is, a great temptation to pilferage.

    Rides on Railways

    Samuel Sidney

  • The damage and losses by pilferage of certain descriptions of goods are enormous.

    Rides on Railways

    Samuel Sidney

British Dictionary definitions for pilferage

pilferage

noun
  1. the act or practice of stealing small quantities or articles
  2. the amount so stolen
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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 pilferage

n.

1620s, from pilfer + -age.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper