Thēft, n.

n. [A-S. theófðh, thyfðh. See THIEF.] 1. The act of stealing; (Law.) The private, unlawful, felonious taking of another person’s goods or movables, with an intent to steal them. ☞ To constitute theft, the taking must be in private, or without the owner’s knowledge; and it must be unlawful or felonious, that is, it must be with a design to deprive the owner of his property privately and against his will. Theft differs from robbery, as the latter is a violent taking from the person, and of course not private. This word is sometimes used as synonymous with larceny, but it is not so technical. Bouvier. 2. The thing stolen. [Rare.] If the theft be certainly found in his hand, . . . he shall restore double. Ex. xxii. 4.