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purloin
[ per-loin, pur-loin ]
/ pərˈlɔɪn, ˈpɜr lɔɪn /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
verb (used with object)
to take dishonestly; steal; filch; pilfer.
verb (used without object)
to commit theft; steal.
QUIZ
CUDDLE UP! A COZY QUIZ ON FALL WORDS HAS ARRIVED
If autumn is your ideal season, spice up your repertoire of "fall" vocabulary with this quiz on some warm and vivid descriptive words for the season.
Question 1 of 10
Which of the following words means “to make a crackling sound; crackle”?
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Origin of purloin
First recorded in 1325–50; Middle English purloynen, from Anglo-French purloigner, Old French porloigner “to put off, remove,” equivalent to pur- (from Latin prō- pro-1) + -loigner, derivative of loin “at a distance, far off,” from Latin longē “a long way off,” adverb of longus “long” (see origin at long1)
OTHER WORDS FROM purloin
pur·loin·er, nounun·pur·loined, adjectiveWords nearby purloin
purl, purler, purlieu, purlin, purlin plate, purloin, purpart, purparty, purple, purple bacteria, purple beech
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use purloin in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for purloin
purloin
/ (pɜːˈlɔɪn) /
verb
to take (something) dishonestly; steal
Derived forms of purloin
purloiner, nounWord Origin for purloin
C15: from Old French porloigner to put at a distance, from por- for + loin distant, from Latin longus long
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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