purloin

[per-loin, pur-loin]

verb (used with object)

1. to take dishonestly; steal; filch; pilfer.

verb (used without object)

1. to commit theft; steal.

purloin

/ pɜːˈlɔɪn /

verb

1. to take (something) dishonestly; steal

Other Word Forms

• purloiner noun
• unpurloined adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of purloin¹

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” ( long ¹ ( def. ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of purloin¹

C15: from Old French porloigner to put at a distance, from por- for + loin distant, from Latin longus long

Example Sentences

PARIS—French authorities said they’ve detained four more people in connection to the Louvre heist, including a man suspected of being the only thief to remain at large after purloining the nation’s crown jewels.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The burglars then used angle grinders to cut through a window and the display cases, purloining the priceless jewels in an operation that took less than seven minutes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A simple but effective way to stop auto bandits from purloining your key fob signal is to use a Faraday bag or pouch.

Read more on Seattle Times

According to the previously unreported federal conviction, Bird, then 30 and living in Sunnyside, Yakima County, falsified a 1991 credit application “with intent to steal and purloin” funds from U.S.

Read more on Seattle Times

Four middle-aged suspects were arrested in Southern California this week when officers found them in possession of roughly $300,000 worth of purloined Lego sets, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• embezzle 
• filch 
• misappropriate 
• pilfer