pilfer

English

WOTD – 24 May 2008
Boys Pilfering Molasses, 1853 painting by George Henry Hall.

Etymology

From Middle English pilfre (booty), from Old French pelfre (plunder, booty, spoils), of unknown origin. Compare pelf.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈpɪl.fə/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈpɪl.fɚ/
  • (file)
  • (file)

Verb

pilfer (third-person singular simple present pilfers, present participle pilfering, simple past and past participle pilfered)

  1. (transitive, intransitive) To steal in small quantities, or articles of small value; to practise petty theft.

Derived terms

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