stole

¹ American  

[stohl] / stoʊl /

verb

1. simple past tense of steal.

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stole ² American  

[stohl] / stoʊl /

noun

1. an ecclesiastical vestment consisting of a narrow strip of silk or other material worn over the shoulders or, by deacons, over the left shoulder only, and arranged to hang down in front to the knee or below.

2. a woman's shoulder scarf of fur, marabou, silk, or other material.

3. a long robe, especially one worn by the matrons of ancient Rome.

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stole ¹ British  

/ stəʊl /

noun

1. a long scarf or shawl, worn by women

2. a long narrow scarf worn by various officiating clergymen

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stole ² British  

/ stəʊl /

verb

1. the past tense of steal

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Usage

What is a basic definition of stole? Stole is the simple past tense form of the verb steal, which means to take something that a person has no right to have. A stole is an article of clothing that resembles a scarf.If you stole something, you took it without permission or authority needed to make it belong to you. If you stole bread from the store, for example, you took it without paying for it. If you stole someone’s idea, you took it from them without asking first and presented it as yours.As the past tense of steal, stole can be used in all of the same idioms that steal is used in. If you “stole someone’s thunder,” for example, you used their plan or idea before they could. Likewise, if you paid a very low amount of money for something valuable, you might say that you stole it.

• Real-life examples: Bonnie and Clyde were a real-life couple who famously stole from banks and stores. Robin Hood was a (probably) fictional outlaw who stole from the rich and gave to the poor.
• Used in a sentence: My sister stole my excuse for why I was late so I had to make up something else. 

A stole is an article of clothing that is similar to a scarf or a shaw. It is worn around the neck or draped over one or both shoulders. A stole can be short, covering just the shoulders and upper arms, or long, usually reaching down to about the wearer’s hips. It is typically considered to be an article of women’s clothing, but stoles are worn by male members of the clergy belonging to several different kinds of Christian denominations. For example, Roman Catholic priests (including the Pope) will sometimes wear a stole as part of their holy vestments.

• Used in a sentence: Lorraine wore her fancy fur stole to the banquet. 

Etymology

Origin of stole

before 950; Middle English, Old English < Latin stola < Greek stolḗ clothing, robe; akin to Greek stéllein to array, Old English stellan to place, put

Example Sentences

Prosecutors allege that a network of operators stole nearly $250 million meant to feed children, billing for 91 million phantom meals and spending the proceeds on mansions, luxury cars, jewelry and real estate.

From The Wall Street Journal

The ghost of Walter Lippmann leaning into the wireless to hear FDR . . . stole into me.

From The Wall Street Journal

According to the reviews reproduced in this edition’s notes, Mingus stole the show, inspiring an unusually emphatic standing ovation.

From The Wall Street Journal

His defense led to the offensive highlight of the third as he stole a pass and shoveled the ball to Jaxson Hayes in transition.

From Los Angeles Times

Roughly 20 years ago, a former intern at the library stole Matisse’s entire “Jazz” book of prints and replaced it with a fake, said Luiz Bagolin, a former director of the library.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• fur
• jacket
• shawl