theft

theft

noun \ˈtheft\

Definition of THEFT

1

a : the act of stealing; specifically : the felonious taking and removing of personal property with intent to deprive the rightful owner of it b : an unlawful taking (as by embezzlement or burglary) of property

2

obsolete : something stolen

3

: a stolen base in baseball

Examples of THEFT

1. The theft of the jewelry and other valuables was immediately reported to the police.
2. He was found guilty of theft.

Origin of THEFT

Middle English thiefthe, from Old English thīefth; akin to Old English thēof thief

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to THEFT

Synonyms: larceny, robbery, stealing, thievery

Related Words: burglary, housebreaking; embezzlement, embezzling, graft, misapplication, misappropriation, peculation; petit larceny, petty larceny; filching, pilferage, pilfering, purloining, shoplifting; abduction, carjacking, hijacking (also highjacking), kidnapping (also kidnaping), shanghaiing; despoilment, despoliation, looting, pillage, plundering, rapine, spoliation; poaching, rustling; black marketeering, smuggling; banditry, piracy

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Rhymes with THEFT

cleft, deft, eft, heft, klepht, left, weft