thief Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it
    stealer.

WordNet

Thief noun
Etymology
OE. thef, theef, AS. eóf; akin to OFries. thiaf, OS. theof, thiof, D. dief, G. dieb, OHG. diob, Icel. jofr, Sw. tjuf, Dan. tyv, Goth. iufs, iubs, and perhaps to Lith. tupeti to squat or crouch down. Cf. Theft.
Wordforms
plural Thieves
Definitions
  1. One who steals; one who commits theft or larceny. See Theft.
    There came a privy thief, men clepeth death. Chaucer.
    Where thieves break through and steal. Matt. vi. 19.
  2. A waster in the snuff of a candle. Bp. Hall. Syn. -- Robber; pilferer. -- Thief, Robber. A thief takes our property by stealth; a robber attacks us openly, and strips us by main force.
    Take heed, have open eye, for thieves do foot by night. Shak.
    Some roving robber calling to his fellows. Milton.

Webster 1913