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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

3 entries under this word

Steal

Stēal, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. STOLE; p. p. STOLEN; p. pr. & vb. n. STEALING.] [A-S. stelan, stælan, O. Sax. & O. H. Ger. stelan, L. Ger. & D. stelen, N. H. Ger. stehlen, Goth. stilan, O. Fries. & Icel. stela, Sw. stjäla, Dan. stjäle.]

Sense 1. To take and carry away feloniously, as the personal goods of another; to take without right or leave. Blackstone.

Sense 2. To withdraw or convey without notice, or clandestinely.

They could insinuate and steal themselves under the same by submission. Spencer.

Sense 3. To gain or win by address or gradual and imperceptible means.

So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. 2 Sam. xv. 6.

Variety of objects has a tendency to steal away the mind from its steady pursuit of any subject. Watts.

Sense 4. To accomplish in a concealed or unobserved manner; to try to pass secretly; as, to steal a look.

Always, when thou changest thy 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.

Fifty thousand men can not easily steal a march over the sea. H. Walpole.

Synonyms—To filch; pilfer; purloin.

Stēal, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. 1. To practice theft; to take feloniously. Thou shalt not steal. Ex. xx. 15. 2. To withdraw, or pass privily; to slip in, along, or away, unperceived. Fixed of mind to fly all company, one night she stole away. 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.

Stēal, n.

noun

n. [See STALE, 4, and STELE.] A handle; a stale or stele.