Main Entry:

rob

Pronunciation:

\ˈräb\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

robbed; rob·bing

Etymology:

Middle English robben, from Anglo-French rober, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German roubōn to rob — more at reave

Date:

13th century

transitive verb1 a (1): to take something away from by force : steal from (2): to take personal property from by violence or threat b (1): to remove valuables without right from (a place) (2): to take the contents of (a receptacle) c: to take away as loot : steal <rob jewelry>2 a: to deprive of something due, expected, or desired b: to withhold unjustly or injuriouslyintransitive verb: to commit robbery

— rob·ber noun

usage Sense vt 1c, in which the direct object is the thing stolen, is sometimes considered to be wrong, or perhaps archaic. The sense has been in use since the 13th century and is found in earlier literature <contrive to rob the honey and subvert the hive — John Dryden>. It is still in use though not as common as other senses <then robbed $100 after the clerk fled — Springfield (Massachusetts) Morning Union>.