Filch, v. t.

[imp. & p. p. FILCHED (filcht); p. pr. & vb. n. FILCHING.] [Cf. A. S. filhan, feolhan, feolan, to stick to, come upon, hide, Goth. filhan, to hide, to bury, O. H. Ger. felhan, felahan, to hide, Icel. fela, to cover, conceal, Prov. Eng. feal, to hide slyly.] To steal or take privily;—applied to that which is of little value; to take wrongfully from another; to pilfer; to steal; to pillage.

But he that filches from me my good name, Robs me of that which not enriches him, And makes me poor indeed. Shak.

Fain would they filch that little food away. Dryden.