thieve

American  

[theev] / θiv /

verb (used with object)

thieved, thieving

1. to take by theft; steal.

---

verb (used without object)

thieved, thieving

1. to act as a thief; commit theft; steal.

thieve British  

/ θiːv /

verb

1. to steal (someone's possessions)

---

Usage

What does thieve mean? To thieve is to steal—to commit theft. A person who thieves is a thief. The words thief and theft are often used in situations in which a person steals in secret and without using force or violence. However, the word thieve is used in the context of all kinds of thefts, even violent ones. Thieve often implies that such thieving is done habitually or as part of a criminal lifestyle. The related word thievery can mean the same thing as theft, but it typically refers to the practice of thieving—thieves lead a life of thieving and thievery. Thieve is sometimes followed by the thing that will be or has been stolen, as in I just realized my kids have been thieving the coins from the fountain. Thieve should not be confused with a form of the noun thief or its plural, thieves. Example: He is a pirate, a rogue—he thieves and plunders without remorse.

Other Word Forms

• outthieve
  verb (used with object)
• thievery
  noun
• thievingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of thieve

before 950; Old English thēofian, derivative of theōf thief (not recorded in ME)

Explanation

When someone steals something, they thieve. Your dog thieves when he puts his paws on the kitchen table and quietly grabs your cinnamon toast. You're more likely to encounter the adjective thieving than the verb thieve, but it's a perfectly good way to say "take illegally." Your brother might think it's perfectly acceptable to thieve a few gummy bears from the candy store where he works, although the store's owner might have a different opinion. At the root of thieve is the Old English þeof, or "thief."

Example Sentences

Thieve are a trio hailing from the hub of Cape Town, whose motto and reason for picking the band name comes from the fact that "nothing is original - everybody steals".

From The Guardian • Jan. 15, 2011

With the experience of all the members being involved in previous well-known bands, they've turned Thieve into a tight-knit group that is set to take over the rock 'n' roll scene.

From The Guardian • Jan. 15, 2011