Dictionary entries for 'purloin'

Synonyms

filch
pilfer
snatch
steal
thieve

pur·loin (pər-loiń, pûŕloiń)

[Middle English purloinen, to remove, from Anglo-Norman purloigner, pur-, away (from Latin prō-; see pro–¹), + loign, far (from Latin longē) (from longus, long; see del-¹).]

verb: -loined, -loin·ing, -loins.

transitive verb

To steal, often in a violation of trust. See synonyms at steal

intransitive verb

To commit theft.

derivatives

pur·loińer: noun

verb: -loined, -loin·ing, -loins.

transitive verb

intransitive verb

derivatives

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition