purloin

[ per-loin, pur-loin ]

verb (used with object)

1. to take dishonestly; steal; filch; pilfer.

verb (used without object)

1. to commit theft; steal.

purloin

/ pɜːˈlɔɪn /

verb

1. to take (something) dishonestly; steal

Derived Forms

• purˈloiner, noun

Other Words From

• pur·loiner noun
• unpur·loined adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of purloin¹

First recorded in 1325–50; Middle English purloynen, from Anglo-French purloigner, Old French porloigner “to put off, remove,” equivalent to pur- (from Latin prō- pro- ¹ ) + -loigner, derivative of loin “at a distance, far off,” from Latin longē “a long way off,” adverb of longus “long” ( long ¹( def ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of purloin¹

C15: from Old French porloigner to put at a distance, from por- for + loin distant, from Latin longus long

Example Sentences

When the news broke, in 2020, that Disney-owned Hulu was making a miniseries about Pamela Anderson, Tommy Lee and the purloined sex tape that shook the world, it came as a bit of a surprise.

From Time

If a thief gets a load of said bags, he'll pop right out of your mattress and purloin them.

From The Daily Beast

Of course nothing could have been easier than for him to purloin the photographs; but what reason would he have for doing so?

From Project Gutenberg

He took advantage of his position to purloin my money, and then turned me over to the county jailer.

From Project Gutenberg

She is induced by Iago to purloin a certain handkerchief given by Othello to Desdemona.

From Project Gutenberg

She will usually attempt to purloin some trinket or other and be caught again.

From Project Gutenberg

From her sleep alone she could purloin the few minutes that she dedicated to her pen and her Gabriella.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• embezzle
• filch
• misappropriate
• pilfer