steals
|steals|
/stiːlz/
(steal)
take secretly
Etymology
'steal' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'stelan', where the Proto-Germanic root '*stel-' meant 'to steal' or 'to take secretly'.
'steal' changed from the Old English word 'stelan' to Middle English 'stelen' and eventually became the modern English word 'steal'.
Initially, it meant 'to take secretly' or 'to carry off', but over time it expanded to include senses like 'to take attention' (as in 'steal the show') and the noun sense 'a bargain'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an act of stealing; an instance of theft (plural: steals)
There were several small steals reported in the area last month.
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Noun 2
a bargain; something bought or obtained very cheaply (informal)
Those vintage jackets are steals at that price.
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Verb 1
take (another person's property) without permission or legal right; commit theft
He often steals small items from the store.
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Last updated: 2025/12/26 18:39