Word of the Day

: May 8, 2007

purloin

verb per-LOYN

What It Means

: to appropriate wrongfully and often by a breach of trust

purloin in Context

Carol discovered that Mike had purloined her idea for her essay and used it in his own paper.

Did You Know?

"Purloin," "pilfer," and "filch" may just seem like fancy words for "steal," but each has a slightly different connotation. "Pilfer" implies stealing repeatedly in small amounts, as in this sentence: "It was months before her boss realized she was pilfering office supplies." "Filch" adds a suggestion of snatching quickly and surreptitiously (e.g., "He filched an apple from the tray"). "Purloin" stresses removing or carrying off something for one's own use or purposes ("She purloined the manuscript and tried to pass it off as her own work").