pilfer

• POS: Verb (usu participle)
• HYPHEN: pil=fer

CIDE DICTIONARY

pilfer, v. i. [OF. pelfrer. See Pelf.].

 To steal in small quantities, or articles of small value; to practice petty theft.  [1913 Webster]

pilfer, v. t. 

 To take by petty theft; to filch; to steal little by little.  [1913 Webster]
"And not a year but pilfers as he goes
Some youthful grace that age would gladly keep."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

pilfer, v.tr. (also absol.) steal (objects) esp. in small quantities.

Derivative

pilferage n. pilferer n.

Etymology

ME f. AF & OF pelfrer pillage, of unkn. orig.: assoc. with archaic pill plunder: PELF

THESAURUS

pilfer

abstract, abuse, and, annex, appropriate, bag, befoul, boost, borrow, convert, cop, crib, debase, defalcate, defile, defraud, desecrate, divert, embezzle, extort, filch, foul, grab, hook, lift, make off with, maladminister, misapply, misappropriate, misemploy, mishandle, mismanage, misuse, nick, nip, palm, peculate, pervert, pinch, plunder, poach, pollute, profane, prostitute, purloin, rip off, rob, run away with, rustle, scrounge, shoplift, snaffle, snare, snatch, snitch, steal, swindle, swipe, take, thieve, violate, walk off with

ROGET THESAURUS

pilfer

Stealing

VB steal, thieve, rob, mug, purloin, pilfer, filch, prig, bag, nim, crib, cabbage, palm, abstract, appropriate, plagiarize, convey away, carry off, abduct, kidnap, crimp, make off with, walk off with, run off with, run away with, spirit away, seize, plunder, pillage, rifle, sack, loot, ransack, spoil, spoliate, despoil, strip, sweep, gut, forage, levy blackmail, pirate, pickeer, maraud, lift cattle, poach, smuggle, run, badger, bail up, hold up, stick up, bunco, bunko, filibuster, swindle, peculate, embezzle, sponge, mulct, rook, bilk, pluck, pigeon, fleece, defraud, obtain under false pretenses, live by one's wits, rob Peter to pay Paul, borrow of Peter to pay Paul, set a thief to catch a thief, disregard the distinction between meum and tuum, fence, launder, launder money.