Etymologically
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thief

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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈθiːf/[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English thef, inherited from Old English þēof,[2][3][4] from Proto-Germanic *þeubaz,[2][3] cognate with Old Frisian thiāf, Old Saxon thiof, Dutch dief, Old High German diob (modern Dieb), Old Norse þjófr and Gothic 𐌸𐌹𐌿𐍆𐍃 (þiufs).[2][3][5] It is a Germanic word with no known cognates outside the family,[2][5] though Merriam-Webster compares Lithuanian tupėti (“to squat, crouch”).[6] It is related to theft.[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

One who takes property by stealth: 688–695, in the laws of Ine, in the OED and Barnhart.[7][2] The Middle English form thef is from 1124, in the Peterborough Chronicle.[2]

Semantic evolution

In the wider sense, including those who rob with violence, it is from before 700.[7] In Middle English it was a general term of reproach for poachers, cheats, pirates and other lawless or deceitful people,[3][7] and in Scots dialect the auld thief was the Devil.[7] Figuratively, something that takes away furtively is from 1742.[7] Den of thieves is from the late 14th century; the earlier phrase was thieves' ditch (about 1100).[3]

Timeline

  • 688–695 – þēof.[7][2]
  • c. 1100 – thieves' ditch.[3]
  • 1124 – thef.[2]
  • 1297 – a term of reproach.[7]
  • 1742 – figurative use.[7]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. A person who steals, especially secretly and without violence.
  2. (criminal law) A person who commits theft.

Word family

  • thievish
  • panel thief
  • sneak thief
  • thief ant
  • theft
  • thieve
  • thievery
  • robber

Usage notes

The Century Dictionary distinguished a thief, who takes property without the owner's knowledge, from a robber, who takes it openly; loosely, thief is used of someone who takes a little and robber of someone who takes a lot.[3]

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ a b Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press