purloin

verb pur·loin \(ˌ)pər-ˈlȯin, ˈpər-ˌ\

: to take (something that belongs to someone else)

Full Definition of PURLOIN

transitive verb

: to appropriate wrongfully and often by a breach of trust

— pur·loin·er noun

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Origin of PURLOIN

Middle English, to put away, misappropriate, from Anglo-French purluigner to prolong, postpone, set aside, from pur- forward + luin, loing at a distance, from Latin longe, from longus long — more at purchase, long

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to PURLOIN

Synonyms: appropriate, boost [slang], filch, heist, hook, lift, misappropriate, nick [British slang], nip, pilfer, pinch, pocket, steal, rip off, snitch, swipe, thieve

Synonym Discussion of PURLOIN

steal, pilfer, filch, purloin mean to take from another without right or without detection. steal may apply to any surreptitious taking of something and differs from the other terms by commonly applying to intangibles as well as material things <steal jewels> <stole a look at the gifts>. pilfer implies stealing repeatedly in small amounts <pilfered from his employer>. filch adds a suggestion of snatching quickly and surreptitiously <filched an apple from the tray>. purloin stresses removing or carrying off for one's own use or purposes <printed a purloined document>.

Rhymes with PURLOIN

adjoin, Alboin, benzoin, Burgoyne, conjoin, Des Moines, disjoin, eloign, enjoin, essoin, recoin, rejoin, sainfoin, short loin, sirloin, subjoin

Learn More About PURLOIN

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "purloin"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "purloin"

Nglish: Translation of "purloin" for Spanish speakers

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