thief English · revision 15373

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=688–695|origins=gem-pro *þeubaz}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈθiːf/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|thef]], [[inh|ang|þēof]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) from [[gem-pro|*þeubaz]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) cognate with [[ofs|thiāf]], [[osx|thiof]], [[nl|dief]], [[goh|diob]] (modern [[m|de|Dieb]]), [[non|þjófr]] and [[got|𐌸𐌹𐌿𐍆𐍃|tr=þiufs]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) It is a Germanic word with no known cognates outside the family,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) though Merriam-Webster compares [[lt|tupėti|t=to squat, crouch]].^(MWU 2024) It is related to [[theft]].^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ One who takes property by stealth: 688–695, in the laws of Ine, in the OED and Barnhart.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) The Middle English form thef is from 1124, in the ''Peterborough Chronicle''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In the wider sense, including those who rob with violence, it is from before 700.^(OED 1989) In Middle English it was a general term of reproach for poachers, cheats, pirates and other lawless or deceitful people,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and in Scots dialect the ''auld thief'' was the Devil.^(OED 1989) Figuratively, something that takes away furtively is from 1742.^(OED 1989) ''Den of thieves'' is from the late 14th century; the earlier phrase was ''thieves' ditch'' (about 1100).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 688–695 – þēof.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1100 – thieves' ditch.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1124 – thef.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1297 – a term of reproach.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1742 – figurative use.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person who [[steal|alt=steals]], especially secretly and without violence.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(criminal law)'' A person who commits [[theft]].^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[thievish]]

+ * [[panel thief]]

+ * [[sneak thief]]

+ * [[thief ant]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[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.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}