Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Steal?

\Steal\, n. [See {Stale} a handle.] A handle; a stale, or stele. [Archaic or Prov. Eng.] And in his hand a huge poleax did bear. Whose steale was iron-studded but not long. --Spenser.
\Steal\, v. t. [imp. {Stole}; p. p. {Stolen}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Stealing}.] [OE. stelen, AS. stelan; akin to OFries. stela, D. stelen, OHG. stelan, G. stehlen, Icel. stela, SW. stj["a]la, Dan. sti[ae]le, Goth. stilan.] 1. To take and carry away, feloniously; to take without right or leave, and with intent to keep wrongfully; as, to steal the personal goods of another. Maugre thy heed, thou must for indigence Or steal, or borrow, thy dispense. --Chaucer. The man who stole a goose and gave away the giblets in ?lms. --G. Eliot. 2. To withdraw or convey clandestinely (reflexive); hence, to creep furtively, or to insinuate. They could insinuate and steal themselves under the same by their humble carriage and submission. --Spenser. He will steal himself into a man's favor. --Shak. 3. To gain by insinuating arts or covert means. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. --2 Sam. xv. 6. 4. To get into one's power gradually and by imperceptible degrees; to take possession of by a gradual and imperceptible appropriation; -- with away. Variety of objects has a tendency to steal away the mind from its steady pursuit of any subject. --I. Watts. 5. To accomplish in a concealed or unobserved manner; to try to carry out secretly; as, to steal a look. Always, when thou changest thine opinion or course, profess it plainly, . . . and do not think to steal it. --Bacon. {To steal a march}, to march in a covert way; to gain an advantage unobserved; -- formerly followed by of, but now by on or upon, and sometimes by over; as, to steal a march upon one's political rivals. She yesterday wanted to steal a march of poor Liddy. --Smollett. Fifty thousand men can not easily steal a march over the sea. --Walpole. Syn: To filch; pilfer; purloin; thieve.
\Steal\, v. i. 1. To practice, or be guilty of, theft; to commit larceny or theft. Thou shalt not steal. --Ex. xx. 15. 2. To withdraw, or pass privily; to slip in, along, or away, unperceived; to go or come furtively. --Chaucer. Fixed of mind to avoid further entreaty, and to fly all company, one night she stole away. --Sir P. Sidney. From whom you now must steal, and take no leave. --Shak. A soft and solemn breathing sound Rose like a steam of rich, distilled perfumes, And stole upon the air. --Milton.