Forms: 1 (ʓe)stelan, 3 stelin, steolin, 3–4 stelen, 3–7 stele, 4 stel(le, steln, 4–5 steele, 4–6 Sc. steile, steyle, 5 stelyn, steyl(l, 5–6 Sc. steill, 6 staile, steel, stell, 6–7 steale, Sc. steil, 6– steal. Pa. t. 1–2 stæl, (pl. stǽlon), 3 pl. stalen, 3–4 stel, 3–6 stal, 4 pl. stelyn, stolen, 4–5 staal(e, 4–6 stall, 4–7 stale, 4–8 Sc. staw, 5 staall(e, stele, Sc. sta, stawe, 6 stalle, Sc. staill, 4– stole. Also (weak forms) 7, 9 dial. stealed, 6 stolled, 9 dial. stoalt. Pa. pple. 1 (ʓe)stolen, 2 istolen, 3–4 i-stole, 4 stollyn, stoolen, ystole, Sc. stowine, 4–5 stoll(e, stolyn, 4–7 stollen, stolne, 4–8 stole, stoln, 5 ystolne, Sc. stone, stowyn, 5–7 stollin, stollyne, -yng, Sc. stoune, stowin, stowne, 6 north. stowen, 8 Sc. sta’en, 8–9 Sc. and dial. stown, 3– stolen. Also (weak forms) 6 stolled, stollyd, 6, 9 dial. stealed. [A Com. Teut. strong verb: OE. stelan, pa. t. stæl, pl. stǽlon, pa. pple. stolen, corresponds to OFris. stela, OS. stelan, Du. stelen, OHG. stelan (MHG. steln, mod.G. stehlen), ON. stela (Sw. stjäla, Da. stjæle), Goth. stilan, f. OTeut. *stel- (: stal-: stǣl-: stul-). Outside Teut. no certain cognates are known.
In the 14th c. the regular form stal of the pa. t. began to be superseded by stole (after the pa. pple.), which has been the accepted form since the 17th c. The Bible of 1611 has in two places stale (but mod. reprints stole), and in four places stole. The weak forms stealed, and the mixed forms stolled, stoald, appear in the 16th c. and in modern dialects, but have never been general.]
I. To take dishonestly or secretly.
1. trans. To take away dishonestly (portable property, cattle, etc., belonging to another); esp. to do this secretly or unobserved by the owner or the person in charge. Const. from (earlier dative).
The notion of secrecy (cf. STEALTH) seems to be part of the original meaning of the vb., which, however, is also employed in a generic sense applicable to open as well as secret acts of theft. In mod. use it takes the place of REAVE v.1 5, ROB v. 5, and of combinations like ‘to steal and reave.’
c. 1000. Ælfric, Gen. xliv. 8. Wenst þu, þæt we þines hlafordes gold oððe his seolfor stælon?
a. 1250. Prov. Ælfred, B. 665. He wole stelin þin haite & keren, & listeliche onsuerren.
c. 1290. Beket, 816, in S. Eng. Leg., 130. ‘Bel ami, þou hast,’ quad þe king: ‘i-stole me muchel guod.’
a. 1300. Cursor M., 4936. Quils i sald þam o mi sede þai stall mi cupe a-wai to lede.
1338. R. Brunne, Chron. (1725), 77. Þe Normans did it alle in þe guyse of theft, Þe godes þerof stal.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, xxiii. (Seven Sleepers), 311. Be lauty þu tellis ws now … quhare þat þu has stowine þis tresoure ore reft.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), VII. 65. Oon of þis secounde Richard his knyȝtes staal a spone, and leyde it to wedde among oþer þinges.
1400. in Roy. & Hist. Lett. Hen. IV. (Rolls), 38. Thu knowlechest … that thy men hath stolle our horsen out of our parke.
c. 1450. Mirk’s Festial, 14. When þys Jew was comen home and fonde hys good ystolne, he was wod wroth wyt Saynt Nycholas.
a. 1500. Bernard, de cura rei fam. (E.E.T.S.), iii. 3. Now has a boy stone Þe brydylle of his blonke hede, agayne he buske shulde.
a. 1500. Ratis Raving, III. 302. He is a theif rycht as he stald.
1546. J. Heywood, Prov., I. xi. (1867), 35. As dyd the pure penitent that stale a goose And stack downe a fether.
1595. W. W[arner], Plautus’ Menæcmi, V. (1779), 141. Even now thou deniedst that thou stolest it [the cloak] from me, and now thou bringest it home openly in my sight.
1677. in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 37. Some mischievous persons to dishonour my Lord Chancellour crept through a window of his house, and stole the Mace and the two purses.
1738. Wesley, Wks. (1872), I. 121. Both my books were stole.
1787. Burns, Banks o’ Doon, v. And my fause luver staw the rose, But left the thorn wi’ me.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), V. 512. He who steals a little steals with the same wish as he who steals much.
1891. Farrar, Darkn. & Dawn, xlviii. Yes; I stole money from Philemon, my beloved master.
1909. J. G. Frazer, Psyche’s Task, iii. 23. Whoever steals sticks from the fence will have a swollen head.
† b. with of used partitively. Obs.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 4904. He þat has yow don socur Stoln haue yee of his tresur.
c. 1400. Rule St. Benet, 569. Of oþer mens we sal not steyl Ne couet here no wordly wele.
1483. Caxton, Golden Leg., 112/2. Judas … bare the purse … and stale of that whiche was gyuen to cryst.
c. with away, † out, † over.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, xl. (Ninian), 448. Þefis … in þe circle þane but dout ȝed, for to steile þe catel owte.
1471. Caxton, Recuyell (Sommer), 440. How Cacus stale away the Oxen & kyen longyng to hercules.
1530. Palsgr., 734/2. I steale awaye a thing by thefte, je emble.
1565. Jewel, Reply Harding (1611), 370. The people of Israel, by his Commandement, stale away the Egyptians goods, without breach of the Law.
1576. J. Dee, Gen. & Rare Memor., 23, marg. Though of Late in the … Low Country Trublesome disorders, Some Few (by Stealing ouer of vittayles, and other things, from this Common Wealth) haue made them selues priuatly rich.
c. 1610. Women Saints, 48. They stale away the coffins and reliques.
1711. Steele, Spect., No. 78, ¶ 5. A Pickpocket, who during his kissing her stole away all his Money.
1883. Tylor, in Encycl. Brit., XV. 199/2. The sorcerer has other means of attacking his victim:… he can steal away his kidney fat.
d. In wider sense: To take or appropriate dishonestly (anything belonging to another, whether material or immaterial).
c. 1275. Sinners Beware! 153, in O. E. Misc., 77. In helle he may adrynke If he steleþ cristes theoþinge.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 3516. How yonger o þir tua þe blissing stal his broþer fra. Ibid., 3988. I stal him fra his benisun.
1340. Ayenb., 26. Þo byeþ ypocrites … steleþ þe dingnetes and þe baylyes.
1477. Norton, Ord. Alch., ii. in Ashm. (1652), 34. For when I had my warke well wrought, Such stale it away and left me nought.
1643. Baker, Chron., Hen. VI., 67. Affirming that deceitfully … he had stolne many Cities and places of importance belonging to the Crown of England.
a. 1704. T. Brown, Dial. Dead, Belgic Hero, Wks. 1711, IV. 67. By which [treaty] he was obliged to vomit up numberless Provinces and Towns, which he had dishonourably stolen from their true Proprietors.
1824. Scott, St. Ronan’s, xxvii. You not only steal my ideas,… but [etc.] … No man like you for stealing other men’s inventions.
e. esp. To plagiarize; to pass off (another’s work) as one’s own; to ‘borrow’ improperly (words, expressions). Also absol.
1544. Betham, Precepts War, Ep. Ded. A vj b. All translatours ought to vse the vsuall termes of our englyshe tounge … and not to breke … in to the boundes of the latyn tounge, to steale termes of it.
1590. Tarlton’s News Purgatory, 21. His Motto is stolne out of Tully, Non solum pro nobis.
1620. J. Taylor (Water P.), Praise Hemp-seed (1623), 36. I haue not stolne a Sillable, or Letter From any man, to make my booke seeme better.
1655. Stanley, Hist. Philos., Xenophon, vii. (1687), 115/2. When he might have stollen the writings of Thucydides … he chose rather to publish them with honour.
1716. Hearne, Collect. (O.H.S.), V. 331. He steals unmercifully, and amongst the Rest from Naunton’s.
1841. W. Spalding, Italy & It. Isl., I. 201. It was stolen as genius steals from genius, it was stolen as Phidias stole from Homer.
f. To derive obscurely and dishonorably. nonce-use.
1693. Stepney, in Dryden’s Juvenal, VIII. (1697), 193. Who know not from what Corner of the Earth The obscure Wretch, who got you, stole his Birth.
2. absol. and intr. To commit or practise theft. † Const. dat. of person.
c. 725. Corpus Gloss., C 859. Conpilat, stilith.
c. 950. Lindisf. Gosp., John x. 10. Ðeaf ne cymes buta þæte ʓestele & eteð & losað.
a. 1000. Laws of Æthelb., ix. Ʒif friʓman freum stelþ.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 31. Scodðan bisechen milce et þan ilke monne þe he haueð er istolen oðer oðer-weis wa idon.
a. 1200. Vices & Virtues, 67. Ne sleih, ne ne stell, ne reaue.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, xii. (Matthias), 246. Þo he wes thefe & ay wald steyle.
1390. Gower, Conf., II. 134. For every thief upon richesse Awaiteth forto robbe and stele.
1483. Caxton, Golden Leg., 286/3. Ther was a theef that ofte stale.
1563. Grafton, Chron., II. 45. The Souldiour’s stale, extorted, and spoyled vpon both parties.
1610. Shaks., Temp., IV. i. 239. We steale by lyne and leuell.
c. 1660. in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. IV. 100. About 80 torres … doe continually robe and stele.
1684. Burnet, trans. More’s Utopia, 16. By which every Man might … so be preserved from the fatal necessity of stealing.
1815. Elphinstone, Acc. Caubul (1842), II. 53. They plunder weak travellers, and steal from those who are too strong to be plundered.
1871. R. W. Dale, Commandm., viii. 208. To give short weight or measure, is to steal.
3. trans. To take away by stratagem or by eluding observation (something that is in the possession or keeping of another).
c. 950. Lindisf. Gosp., Matt. xxviii. 13. Cuoðað ʓie þætte ðeʓnas his on næht cuomun &… stelende weron hine.
13[?]. Seuyn Sag. (W.), 2652. He priked to the galewes with his fole, And fond that a thef was i-stole.
c. 1440. Alphabet of Tales, 281. Þe aungell stale þe syluer copp at þai dranke of.
c. 1450. Capgrave, St. Augustine, ix. 14. Þei pulled up sail & stale þe schip from hir.
1638. Sir T. Herbert, Trav. (ed. 2), 14. Lyons, (which usually steale Beefe out of the water when Ships are here).
1749. Lavington, Enthus. Meth. & Papists, II. (1754), Pref. p. xxi. You have climbed up and stole the Sacred Fire from Heaven.
1830. Tennyson, Ode to Mem., 1. Thou who stealest fire From the fountains of the past.
b. with away; rarely with other advs., as † down, † over.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, ii. (Paul), 401. Men … stall a-way be mycht þe twa bodis of mekill mycht of petir and paule, fra quhare þai lay.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, IV. xiv. 137. She alyghte of her hors & thoughte for to stele awey Excalibur his swerd.
1535. W. Stewart, Cron. Scot. (Rolls), II. 392. Quietlie awa the heid tha stall.
a. 1586. Sidney, Astroph. & Stella, xiv. Vpon whose breast a fiercer Gripe doth tire Then did on him who first stale down the fire.
1587. Higgins, Mirr. Mag., Nero, xii. (Letter) And bad them say, that his disciples stale his corps away.
1602. Chettle, Hoffmann, I. (1631), B 2 b. This is Hannce Hoffmans sonne, that stole downe his fathers Anotamy from the gallowes.
1629. Ford, Lover’s Mel., II. ii. E 4. Shall I fetch a Barbour to steale away his rough beard, while he sleepes?
1816. J. Wilson, City of Plague, II. iv. 160. Many look With tears of sorrow on a mortal creature Whom death may steal away.
c. Of an impersonal agent.
1844. A. B. Welby, Poems (1867), 60. The wind! that for no creature careth, Yet stealeth sweets from every thing.
1878. Huxley, Physiogr., 72. The heat of the sun which quietly steals vapour from every exposed piece of water.
d. To carry off (young animals) from the dam.
13[?]. K. Alis., 1890. The tiger, that fynt y-stole Hire weolp from hire hole.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Knt.’s T., 1769. Ther nas no Tygre … Whan þat hir whelpe is stole whan it is lite So crueel on the hunte as is Arcite.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVIII. cxiii. (1495), 854. The female beer is moost cruell beest whanne her whelpys ben stollen.
c. 1480. Henryson, Mor. Fab., Fox & Wolf, 738. Fra the Gait he stall ane lytil Kid.
e. To carry off, abduct, kidnap (a person) secretly. Now rare.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Doctor’s T., 184. My seruant … Which fro myn hous was stole vp-on a nyght.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 13197. Þat onone in the night, þat noble he stale Fro the souerain hir Syre.
c. 1475. Henryson, Poems, Bludy Serk, 19. Stollin he hes the lady ȝing.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, I. x. 45. Him sall I sownd slepand staile away.
1560. Phaër, Æneid, X. (1562), F f iiij. Was it by my conduct, thaduoutrer stale the Sparta quene?
1592. Soliman & Pers., IV. ii. 72. O wicked Turque, for to steale her hence.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 26 Dec. 1690. Executed … for being an accomplice with Campbell … in stealing a young heiress.
1710. W. King, Heathen Gods & Heroes, xv. (1722), 63. She [Proserpine] was stole away by Aidoneus.
1769. Blackstone, Comm., IV. xv. 208. Their forcible abduction and marriage; which is vulgarly called stealing an heiress.
1788. Mrs. Inchbald, Child Nat., IV. ii. 51. Amanthis is lost, gone, stole from me!
1815. Scott, Guy M., xi. The young Laird was stown away by a randy gipsy woman.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., II. III. v. Intent on stealing Majesty to Metz.
† f. To capture (a fortress, a military position) by surprise. Obs.
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., B. 1778. Þay … Lyfte laddres ful longe & vpon lofte wonen, Stelen stylly þe toun er any steuen rysed.
c. 1450. Brut, II. 424. This Erle of Gascoigne … come be nyght, and stale the toune of Pounteyse of the Frensshe men, and drof hem oute.
1623. Bingham, Xenophon, 73. It is better therefore to endeuour priuily, to steale, if we can, and to lay hold of … a peece of the void mountaine, than [etc.].
g. dial. To catch (wild-fowl). ? Obs.
1698. M. Martin, Voy. St. Kilda (1749), 57. Some thousands being catched, or, as they term it, Stolen every March.
4. In various applications with immaterial obj.
a. To cause the loss of, take away (something valued, e.g., happiness, a person’s life, etc.).
c. 1374. Chaucer, Troylus, III. 1451. O crueel day accusour of þe Ioye That nyght and loue han stole and faste y-wryen.
1570. Satir. Poems Reform., xxi. 18. Thay Renigats … Hes stollin our Regentis lyfe.
1631. Milton, Sonn., ii. 2. How soon hath Time the suttle theef of youth Stoln on his wing my three and twentith yeer!
a. 1721. Prior, Pastoral to Dr. Turner, 4. Why dost thou … steal from life the needful hours of rest?
1777. Sir W. Jones, Palace Fortune, 24. A sudden cloud his senses stole.
1793. Burns, Bonie Jean, iii. Her heart was tint, her peace was stown.
1806. G. Pinckard, Notes W. Indies, III. 269. Which … frequently causes us to steal another hour from the already too shortened day.
b. To take without permission (esp. a kiss). † Also (cf. sense 6) to give (a kiss) to a person.
1390. Gower, Conf., II. 348. If thou hast stolen eny cuss Or other thing which therto longeth.
a. 1400–50. Wars Alex., 5385. Scho … stelis to him cussis.
1584. Lodge, Forb. & Tris. (Shaks. Soc.), 99. Her pleasant kisse where she might steale a touch.
1592. Shaks., Ven. & Ad., 726. Lest she should steale a kisse and die forsworne.
1598. Bastard, Chrestol., II. ii. 28. And yet a second course he vndertakes. And steeling leaue for gayne which is so deare, A third and fourth aduenture yet he makes.
a. 1796. Burns, Delia, 15. O let me steal one liquid kiss!
1838. Times, 14 April, 7/3. Mr. John Cunningham … appeared to answer the charge of stealing a sly kiss from the lips of Alice Turner, the pretty wife of a young tonsor.
† c. To conceal improperly. (Cf. 5.) Obs.
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 3691. No pryde ne may be stole, No yn shryfte be forhole.
† d. To gain by secret or unobtrusive means. Obs.
1426. Audelay, Poems, 53. Sum men ther ben that stelon heven, With penans, prayers, and poverte.
1605. Chapman, Al Fooles, II. i. 371, 378. That hath stolne By his meere industry, and that by spurts Such qualities as no wit else can match With plodding at perfection every houre…. I meane, besides his dycing and his wenching, He has stolne languages, th’Italian, Spanish, [etc.].
e. To take (time) by contrivance from its ordinary employment, sleep, etc., to devote to some other purpose.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 59. Be euer diligent … whan thou hast done all thy dutyes … to stele tyme wherin thou mayst giue thy selfe all hoolly to prayer.
1712. Swift, Jrnl. to Stella, 18 Nov. This makes me sometimes steal a week from the exactness I used to write to MD.
1758. S. Hayward, Serm., xvii. 515. They must frequently steal an hour to converse with him [Christ] whom they love.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., iii. I. 409. Both Chief Justice Hale and Lord Keeper Guildford stole some hours from the business of their courts to write on hydrostatics.
f. To gain possession of, or to entice away from another (a person’s heart, affections, etc.).
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 34 b. Wherby he steleth many a soule fro god.
1587. D. Fenner, Song of Songs, iv. 9. Sister, my spouse, my hart thou hast stole with one eye Myne hart thou hast stole, with one chayne which on thy necke doeth lye.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., III. i. 37. So did she steale his heedelesse hart away.
1596. Sir J. Davies, Orchestra, lxxxvi. And they who first Religion did ordaine, By dauncing first the peoples harts did steale.
1605. 1st Pt. Jeronimo, II. v. 40, in Kyd’s Wks. (1901), 322. Intending, as it seemed, by that sly shift, To steale away her troth.
1667. Flavel, Saint Indeed (1754), 146. Take heed … lest thy shop steal away thy heart from thy closet.
a. 1678. Chalkhill, Thealma & Clearchus, 108. Or hath some worthier Love Stole your Affections?
1720. Ozell, trans. Vertot’s Rom. Rep., II. VIII. 28. His expression [was] … so moving, that he stole away the Assent of all that heard him.
1720. J. Welwood, Pref. to Rowe’s Lucan, p. xxxix. The Muses had stoln away his heart from his infancy.
a. 1797. Burns, Song, ‘Hark the Mavis,’ v. Thou hast stown my very heart.
1835. G. P. R. James, Gipsy, i. How many would steal from one the affection of one’s mistress or wife!
† g. To adopt or ‘borrow’ (what belongs to another art). Obs.
1581. Sidney, Apol. Poetrie (Arb.), 22. Both he [sc. Herodotus] and all the rest that followed him, either stole or vsurped of Poetrie, their passionate describing of passions [etc.].
5. To effect or accomplish clandestinely or unperceived; to get opportunity for (an action) by contrivance.
1625. Bacon, Ess., Of Gl. Place (Arb.), 289. Alwayes, when thou changest thine Opinion, or Course, professe it plainly and declare it…; And doe not thinke to steale it.
1681. H. More, Expos. Dan., 53. He might spring up with them and amongst them, but in such an occult manner, and so unawares, as if he had stoln his growth behind them.
1682. N. O., Boileau’s Lutrin, IV. 31. What a mad coil you keep here, That people cannot steal a Nap, or sleep here?
1758. Mrs. Lennox, Henrietta V. ix. (1761), II. 267. I will make you no apology for stealing a visit to her.
1826. Hood, Recipe for Civiliz., 86. When their force Can’t take a town by open courage They steal an entry with its forage.
1857. J. Hamilton, Less. Gt. Biog., 264. He did not steal an interview [with Jesus], nor come, like Nicodemus, disguised.
† b. With complementary adj. or adv. To steal oneself drunk: to get drunk secretly. To steal down (Sc.): to cause to fall, ruin, by secret means.
1570. Satir. Poems Reform., xvii. 101. Thy poysoun did doun steill Not only him quhom wofully thow woundit; Bot [etc.].
1596. Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot., II. VII. 22. Machabie deuyses to cal Bancho and Fleanch … till a banket, that be sik a trayne quyetlie he may steil thame doune.
1670. T. Brooks, Wks. (1867), VI. 67. So accordingly he stole himself drunk.
1719. London & Wise, Compl. Gard., 41. The difference of hot or cold Summers does steal more considerably forward, or set back the same Fruits, of one and the same Climate and Season.
c. To direct (a look), breathe (a sigh) furtively.
a. 1586. Sidney, Arcadia, I. (Sommer), 62 b. As I … stale a looke on her.
1697. Dryden, Alexander’s Feast, 87. And, now and then, a Sigh he stole.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 106, ¶ 1. I have observed them stealing a Sight of me over an Hedge.
1794. Mrs. Radcliffe, Myst. Udolpho, xxxi. She stole a glance at them.
1866. G. Macdonald, Ann. Q. Neighb., iii. (1878), 33. He stole a shy pleased look at me.
† d. To steal a marriage: to get married secretly. Obs. [Cf. Gr. γάμον κλέπτειν.]
c. 1450. Merlin, ii. 363. This mariage wolde he haue stole hadde no Merlin I-be.
1562. Child-Marr., 189. They did steale a mariage without banes askinge.
1711. Steele, Spect., No. 133, ¶ 7. A story I had heard of his intending to steal a marriage without the privity of us his intimate friends.
1731–8. Swift, Pol. Conversat., 130. You have stolen a Wedding it seems…. How does your Lady unknown?
1782. Miss Burney, Cecilia, X. vi. ‘Your daughter … has made a little change in her situation, which she was anxious you should hear from myself.’ ‘Ha! ha! stolen a match upon you I warrant!’ cried the facetious Mr. Hobson.
a. 1797. H. Walpole, Mem. Reign Geo. III. (1845), III. x. 326. He … had stolen a marriage with an idiot sister of the Spanish Charles Townshend.
c. 1820. S. Rogers, Italy, Marguerite de Tours, 45. They stole a match and fled.
e. To steal a march: in military sense, to succeed in moving troops without the knowledge of the enemy; hence gen. to get a secret advantage over a rival or opponent. Const. on, upon, † of.
1716. Addr. Edinb., 27 March, in Lond. Gaz., No. 5422/2. We saw him … steal a March for our Preservation.
1740. Cibber, Apol. (1756), I. 143. After we had stolen some few days march upon them.
1771. Smollett, Humph. Cl., 6 May (1815), 73. She yesterday wanted to steal a march of poor Liddy.
1834. Marryat, P. Simple, xxiii. We must be off early to-morrow, while these good people are in bed, and steal a long march upon them.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xv. III. 519. Those who had intended to gain the victory by stealing a march now disclaimed that intention.
1856. Reade, Never too late, xxii. Happening to awake earlier than usual, he stole a march on his nurses, and … walked out and tottered into the jail.
1885. ‘F. Anstey,’ Tinted Venus, viii. 100. He shan’t have the chance: we ’ll steal a march on him this time.
† f. To get a hasty glance at. Obs.
1731. Fielding, Letter Writers, I. ii. 7. Will you go steal an Act or two of the new Tragedy? Rak. Not I—I go to no Tragedy.
g. In various games, esp. Cricket, Golf and Baseball: see quots. Also intr. (in Baseball), esp. in to steal home.
1857. Hughes, Tom Brown, II. viii. He has stolen three byes in the first ten minutes.
1874. Chadwick, Base Ball Man., 47. If he [the batsman] steal home on the catcher or pitcher.
1881. Forgan, Golfer’s Handbk., 35. Steal, to hole an unlikely ‘put’ from a distance.
1882. Daily Tel., 24 June. He next took Ramsay round to the leg boundary, and shortly stole a single off him also.
1891. N. Crane, Baseball, iv. 32. His antics in trying to deceive the fielders and steal a base excite great amusement among the thousands of spectators.
1895. Manson, Sporting Dict., Stealing a Base. When a base runner makes his next base by leading off and then running while the ball is being thrown by the pitcher to the catcher.
1895. Times, 19 Feb., 11/4. The Englishmen were able to steal many runs.
1897. Encycl. Sport, I. 247/1. Cricket) Steal runs, to get a run for a hit, when no run seems reasonably possible.
6. To place, move or convey stealthily. Now somewhat rare. † To steal on: to put on (one’s clothes, etc.) hastily, so as not to be observed (obs.). To steal (some one or something) in: to smuggle in, procure secret entrance for.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 3872. Bot þar [Laban] did a trecheri, For þan [Jacob] had may rachell wedd, Lia he stall vn-til his bed.
c. 1555. J. Bradford, in Coverdale, Godly Lett. Martyrs (1564), 470. Pray Walshe to steale you in, as I hope he will doe.
a. 1620. Webster, Appius & Virg., IV. i. Thy violent Lust shall like the biting of the invenom’d A-pick, steal thee to hell.
1633. G. Herbert, Temple, Love-unknown, 43. I bath’d it often, ev’n with holy bloud, Which at a board, while many drunk base wine, A friend did steal into my cup for good.
1648. J. Beaumont, Psyche, VI. xlvi. Know’st thou why He gathers up his Tail’s ashamed Train, And steals it round about his scaly thigh?
1649. Davenant, Love & Honour, IV. i. 65. Steale on this funerall habit.
1654–66. Earl Orrery, Parthen. (1676), 641. I stole the Letter into Monyma’s hand.
a. 1685. R. North, Autobiog., i. (1887), 3. But there was another use made of this botle, for our Mother would steal into it slices of Rubarb, and … this way, it was stole upon us, and not tainted with aversions.
1710. H. Bedford, Vind. Ch. Eng., 179. The Words … were … stol’n into the … Article.
a. 1712. Fountainhall, Decis. (1759), I. 292. The Merchants did undersel them, by stealing in English cloth that was prohibit.
1712. Steele, Spectator, No. 354, ¶ 3. The Prentice speaks his Disrespect by an extended Finger, and the Porter by stealing out his Tongue.
1718. Prior, Solomon, II. 428. I … from beneath his Head, at dawning Day, With softest Care have stol’n my Arm away.
c. 1730. Ramsay, For Sake Somebody, iii. I’ll … steal on linens fair and clean.
1752. H. Walpole, Lett. to Mann, 28 Oct. [Lord Coventry] coursed his wife round the table, on suspecting that she had stolen on a little red, seized her, scrubbed it off by force with a napkin, and then told her, that [etc.].
1760–72. H. Brooke, Fool of Qual. (1809), III. 17. He stole a bill for 160l. into his hand, saying … there is what I owe you.
1779. Johnson, L. P., Savage, III. 367. Nor [did he] ever read his verses without stealing his eyes from the page, to discover, in the faces of his audience, how they were affected.
1792. S. Rogers, Pleas. Mem., II. 10. Whose constant vigils chase the chilling damp Oblivion steals upon her vestal lamp.
1817. Moore, Lalla Rookh (ed. 2), 165. If the sweet hours of intercourse so imprudently allowed them should have stolen into his heart the same fatal fascination as into hers.
1818. Scott, Hrt. Midl., xxx. The hag … now unclosed her hand, stole it away from the weapon, and suffered it to fall by her side.
1821. Clare, Vill. Minstr., I. 199. Slily steal thy bonnet on,… And wander out with me.
1824. T. Jefferson, Writ. (1830), IV. 397. It may amuse you, to show when, and by what means, they stole this law in upon us.
1883. D. C. Murray, Joseph’s Coat, xxxiv. It was noticed that the silent two had stolen each a hand towards the other’s and thus … they sat handed.
† b. To fire (a gun) stealthily. Obs.
1794. Nelson, in Sotheby’s Catal. (1900), 26 Feb., 118. Except one general discharge and a gun now and then stole at us, we have had no opposition.
c. Of a hen: To make (her nest) in a concealed place. Also U.S. of a ewe: To bring forth (lambs) out of season.
1854. Poultry Chron., I. 436. Turkey hens generally steal their nests, but do not readily forsake them, unless scared.
1859. Allen, New Amer. Farm Bk. (1883), 417. If young ewes have stolen lambs, they should be taken away from them immediately after yeaning.
1881. Young, Ev. Man his own Mechanic, § 979. 466. When laying every hen likes extreme privacy. This is why fowls when at liberty ‘steal’ their nests as it is called.
7. techn. To omit or suppress (some out of a usual number of parts of a structure). a. Naut. (See quot.) b. Netting. (? Implied in STOLEN ppl. a.)
1711. W. Sutherland, Shipbuild. Assist., 47. It’s therefore very customary in many Ships to drop, or steal, as they term it, some Strakes short of the Stern.
II. To go secretly or quietly.
† 8. refl. To withdraw oneself secretly or quietly. Chiefly with away. Obs. rare.
[So ON. stela-sk. For the development of meaning cf. F. dérober to steal, se dérober to hide oneself.]
a. 1300. Cursor M., 3918. Laban o leue þam nicked nai, And þai bi night þam stal a way.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Pard. T., 282. For which as soone as it myghte be He stal hym hoom agayn to his contree.
c. 1489. Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, xvi. 381. Whan the spye had wel vnderstonde all the conclucion, he stele hymself fro the company. Ibid., xxviii. 590. Alas, ye stale awaye yourself by nyghte.
1725. Pope, Odyss., XI. 165. So peaceful shalt thou end thy blissful days, And steal thy self from life, by slow decays.
9. intr. To depart or withdraw secretly or surreptitiously from a place. Chiefly with adv., as away, † forth, off, out, or const. from, out of.
1154. O. E. Chron., an. 1140. & te æorl stæl ut & ferde efter Rodbert eorl of Gloucestre.
c. 1205. Lay., 15019. Heo swiþe stille stelen ut of buruwe.
c. 1290. Magdalene, 540, in S. E. Leg., 477. Marie … stal a-wey from hire kunne.
1487. Cely Papers (Camden), 171. Diversse of them stelyth dayly aweye and goyth to Myddelborow.
1530. Palsgr., 734/2. I steale awaye, I convaye my selfe prively out of syght, or out of company.
1535. W. Stewart, Cron. Scot. (Rolls), II. 178. How Wortigerne for Dreid of Hungest staw in the Walis.
1561. Norton & Sackv., Gorboduc, V. ii. 40. And other sort … Stale home by silence of the secret night.
a. 1578. Lindesay (Pitscottie), Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.), I. 294. The Earle of Angus was stowin quyitlie out of his ludging.
1580. Stow, Chron., 533 (an. 1399). But when they saw the King came not, they stealed away, and left the Earle of Salisburie in manner alone.
1596. in Spalding Club Misc., I. 86. Thow was apprehendit … steilling furth of the said … Adam Mairis yard, at twa houris in the morning, greyn growand bear.
1617. Moryson, Itin., II. 57. The Lord Deputie … received advertisement … that Tyrone … was stolne out of Mounster with sixe hundred in his company.
1639. Fuller, Holy War, III. xvi. (1640), 135. Other Captains secretly stole home.
1667. Dryden, Ind. Emperor, IV. iv. The gods are good; I’le leave her to their care, Steal from my Post, and in the Plunder share.
1704. Cibber, Careless Husb., V. 47. My Lady Graveairs had an Eye upon me, as I stole off.
1761. Hume, Hist. Eng., xxvii. II. 131. Many of them had stolen from the camp, and retired homewards.
a. 1774. Goldsm., trans. Scarron’s Com. Romance (1775), II. 251. She had stole out in order to acquaint me with this.
1786. Mme. D’Arblay, Diary, 18 July. The sub-governess stole from her charges, and came to the window.
1867. Morris, Jason, II. 583. But made him think of some beast from his lair Stolen forth at the beginning of the night.
1869. Tozer, Highl. Turkey, II. 267. Maria stole off to the honey.
1881. Jowett, Thucyd., I. 232. The inhabitants had stolen away and taken up a position on the top of the hills.
b. with advb. accusative, to steal one’s way († in early use = to steal away). Now rare.
c. 1385. Chaucer, L. G. W., 2174. He … as a traytour stal his wey.
1432–50. trans. Higden (Rolls), VII. 101. That Edricus seenge the Danes to be inclynede, stale his weye from the hoste.
c. 1500. Three Kings’ Sons, 152. Some stale their wey, and lefte the places allone.
1847. Mrs. A. Kerr, trans. Ranke’s Hist. Servia, 182. During the night, he, with his Momkes, stole his way into the midst of their camp.
1884. W. Collins, ‘I Say No,’ I. ix. 125. Steal your way into that poor little fool’s heart; and then make her miserable for the rest of her life!
c. Hunting. To steal away. Of a hunted animal: To leave its lair unperceived and gain a start of the pursuers.
c. 1369. Chaucer, Dethe Blaunche, 381. And so, at the laste, This hert Rused and staale away Fro alle the houndes a prevy way.
c. 1400. Master of Game (MS. Digby 182), xxxiii. To se if þe deer þat is herbowrede wolde sterte and steele away or þe lymer meved hym.
1711. Budgell, Spect., No. 116, ¶ 5. That ’twas a Wonder they had not lost all their Sport, for want of the silent Gentleman’s crying Stole Away.
1756. Foote, Engl. fr. Paris, II. Wks. 1799, I. 111. Hola, Sir Toby, Stole away!
1818. Scott, Rob Roy, vi. I … soon heard, far behind, the ‘hey whoop! stole away! stole away!’ of my baffled pursuers.
1872. T. Pearce, Idstone Papers, ii. 19. Just then, at my feet as it were, there was a rustle amongst the long grass, and a fine dog fox, ears close to his pole, stole away.
† d. fig. of things. Obs. (Distinct from 11.)
a. 1366[?]. Chaucer, Rom. Rose, 371. The tyme that … steleth from vs so priuely.
c. 1412. Hoccleve, De Reg. Princ., 5248. But it [prosperity] a-way gan stele Whan þei him drough to profyte singuler.
10. To go or come secretly or stealthily; to walk or creep softly so as to avoid observation.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 12524. Iosep … sent him to þe yerd … For to gedir þam sum cale; And iesus still him efter stal.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Troylus, I. 81. And to þe Grekes ost ful pryely He stal a noon.
c. 1475. Henryson, Orpheus, 142. And Orpheus atour his [sc. Cerberus’] wame in stall, And nethir mare he went.
1544. Betham, Precepts War, II. vii. K ij. Yf he steale into the campe, by walles or ditches, dryuen by no great feare, he is worthye the same punyshment.
1577–87. Harrison, England, II. xiii. (1877), 246. Such of Belgie as stale over hither from the maine.
a. 1586. Sidney, Arcadia, III. i. (1912), 356. [He] stale up into Pamelaes chamber.
1589. Greene, Menaphon (Arb.), 39. Affection is like the Snayle, which stealeth to the top of the lance by minutes.
1596. Raleigh, Discov. Guiana, 4. The same evening there stale also abord vs in a small Canoa two Indians.
1640. Suckling, Ballade upon Wedding, 44. Her feet beneath her Petticoat, Like little mice stole in and out.
1695. Blackmore, Pr. Arthur, II. 947. The timorous Hare steals from the Brakes.
1710. Swift, Jrnl. to Stella, 2 Sept. I have stole here again to finish this letter.
1778. Miss Burney, Evelina (1791), I. xxxiii. 168. Madame Duval … stole softly down stairs, desiring me to follow her.
1799. Campbell, Pleas. Hope, I. 325. On Erie’s banks, where tigers steal along.
1833. Ht. Martineau, Manch. Strike, iii. 33. They steal to one another’s houses when they think we are asleep.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., I. III. iii. At nightfall, President Lamoignon steals over to the Controller’s.
1852. Mrs. Stowe, Uncle Tom’s C., xxvii. There were … soft whisperings and foot-falls in the chamber, as one after another stole in, to look at the dead.
1859. FitzGerald, Omar, xlii. And lately,… Came stealing through the Dusk an Angel Shape Bearing a Vessel on his Shoulder.
1877. Black, Green Past., ii. The Lady Sylvia … dressed and stole noiselessly down the stairs.
b. fig.
1592. Greene, Upst. Courtier, C 4. Such vpstarts … wil at last steale by degrees into some credit by their double diligence.
1599. Sandys, Europæ Spec., Pref. (1632), 3. Yet, neverthelesse, since that time; there hath beene another Impression of the same stolne into the world.
1679. C. Nesse, Antichrist, 213. It stole into the world … unsensibly, and at unawares.
1763. Churchill, Night, 188. Calm, independent, let me steal thro’ life.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), III. 342. The child of which he is the father, if it steals into life.
† c. With to adv. Obs.
c. 1250. Owl & Night., 1432. An go to him bi daies lihte þat er stal to bi þeostre nihte.
c. 1290. Barnabas, 98, in S. Eng. Leg., 29. Ake cristine Men þat weren bi-side stelen to bi niȝte.
d. To come stealthily on or upon a person for the purpose of attack or injury.
13[?]. King Alis. (Laud MS.), 3989. For þou hast demed þi self here þoo þou … stale byhynden on oure kyng.
c. 1369. Chaucer, Dethe Blaunche, 654. At the chesse … She staale on me and toke my fers.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. VII. 106. ‘Ich am wratthe,’ quaþ þat wye, ‘wol gladliche smyte Boþe with ston and with staf, and stele vp-on myn enemy.’ Ibid. (1399), R. Redeles, III. 21. Þo schrewed wormes, Þat steleth on þe stedis to stynge hem to deth.
c. 1450. Brut, II. 379. And aftir come þer tydynges … þat þere was a new Batayle of Frenschmen ordeyned, redy to stele on hem, and comyn towarde hym.
1508. Stanbridge, Vulgaria (W. de W.), B iij b. He came stelynge vpon me, Adortus est me.
1530. Palsgr., 734/2. I steale upon one, I come prively upon hym, je viens a lemblée.
1577. Googe, Heresbach’s Husb., III. (1586), 156 b. The catte … stealing suddenly and swiftly vpon the mouse.
1598. T. Rogers, Celest. Elegies, C 4 b, in Lamport Garl. (Roxb.). Death stole vppon her with his Eben darte.
1680. Debates Ho. Commons (1681), 115. I believe it was only to quiet our Thoughts, while Popery steals on upon us.
1684. Contempl. St. Man, I. vii. (1699), 77. Death steals treacherously upon us, when we least look for it.
1704. Rowe, Ulysses, II. i. 569. The God of Sleep Insensible and soft, had stole upon me.
1783. Burns, Bonie Moor-hen, Chorus, Tak’ some on the wing, and some as they spring, But cannily steal on a bonie moor-hen.
1821. Scott, Kenilw., xxix. With the stealthy step … of the cat that steals on her prey.
11. Of things. a. Of time (with on, away): to come or go unobserved.
1590. Shaks., Com. Err., IV. i. 52. The houre steales on, I pray you sir dispatch.
1592. Kyd, Span. Trag., III. xi. 46. Then time steales on, And steales, and steales.
1600. E. Blount, trans. Conestaggio, 19. But in the meane space time steales away.
1773. Han. More, Search Happ., ii. 143. No plan e’er mark’d the duties of the day, Which stole in tasteless apathy away.
1885. ‘Mrs. Alexander,’ At Bay, xi. As years stole on, and he didn’t care to move about much.
b. Of a condition, esp. sleep, insensibility, infirmities, etc.: To come insensibly over or on a person.
14[?]. Pol. Rel. & L. Poems (1903), 279. Ȝif any sterynge on me stele.
1562. Winȝet, Cert. Tractates, iii. Wks. (S.T.S.), I. 27. That be the proces of tyme vnthankful forȝetfulnes steil not vpon us.
1660. Dryden, Astræa Redux, 129. So on us stole our blessed change; while we Th’ effect did feel but scarce the manner see.
1807–8. W. Irving, Salmag. (1824), 332. Infirmities had stolen upon him.
1812. Crabbe, Tales, xix. 166. He began to feel Some self-approval on his bosom steal.
1827–54. De Quincey, Last Days Kant, Wks. III. 123. The infirmities of age now began to steal upon Kant.
1834. Life Adam Clarke, iv. 101. Mr. Clarke, who had walked unsteadily and faintly for some distance, began to feel a sense of drowsiness steal over him.
1847. C. Brontë, Jane Eyre, xxviii. A kind of pleasant stupor was stealing over me.
c. Of a stream, tears, a body of vapor, a ship, etc.: To glide, or move gently and almost imperceptibly. Also with adv., along, on, out.
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 919. The Vapour of Char-Coale … is the more dangerous, because it commeth without any Ill Smell; But stealeth on by little and little.
a. 1678. Chalkhill, Thealma & Cl., 93. Anon she drops a tear That stole along her cheeks.
1709. Pope, Ess. Crit., 379. Now sighs steal out, and tears begin to flow.
1737. [S. Berington], G. di Lucca’s Mem. (1738), 62. With Tears stealing down his Cheeks.
1786. Burns, Vision, I. xiv. Auld, hermit Aire staw thro’ his woods, On to the shore.
1849. Helps, Friends in C., II. ii. (1854), I. 283. Look at that ungainly puppy trying to catch the thistle-down as it steals up the hill.
1874. Lady Barker, Station Life N. Zealand, xvii. 135. The faint wreath of smoke stealing up through the calm air.
1896. ‘H. S. Merriman,’ Flotsam, i. 1. The Hooghly was stealing past the quiet bungalow built on the bank.
1898. Bridges, Hymn Nat., Poems (1912), 404. The white ships swim, And steal to havens far.
d. Of sound, fragrance, light: To become gradually perceptible. Const. on, upon (the sense).
1634. Milton, Comus, 557. At last a soft and solemn breathing sound Rose like a steam of rich distill’d Perfumes, And stole upon the Air, that even Silence Was took e’re she was ware.
1777. Potter, Æschylus, Prometh. Chain’d, 12. Ah me! what sound, what softly-breathing odour Steals on my sense?
1785. Burns, Winter Nt., 36. When on my ear this plaintive strain, Slow, solemn, stole.
c. 1790. W. L. Bowles, Sonn., ‘As one who long.’ With such delight, o’er all my heart I feel, Sweet Hope! thy fragrance pure and healing incense steal.
1822. Lamb, Elia, Ser. I. Some old Actors. You could see the first dawn of an idea stealing slowly over his countenance.
† e. To insinuate itself, find acceptance in disguise. Also, to gain influence by imperceptible degrees. Const. on. Obs.
1581. Sidney, Apol. Poetrie (Arb.), 35. Whose pretty Allegories, stealing vnder the formall tales of Beastes, make many … begin to heare the sound of vertue.
1648. J. Beaumont, Psyche, XX. cclxxxvi. The Art Of charming Sanctity can steal upon The coldest bosom.
a. 1661. Fuller, Worthies, Brecknock (1662), 23. With a smooth stream … his matter by a lawful and laudable felony, did steal secretly into the hearts of his hearers.
1805. Emily Clark, Banks of Douro, I. 259. The society of Montague;… insensibly stole on her esteem.
† f. To operate by insensible degrees upon. Obs.
1639. G. Plattes, Discov. Subterr. Treas., 19. When you use them [sc. the new pots] set them in the fire at the first kindling: and so let the Fire steale upon them till they be red hot.
† g. To steal off: to diverge in an inconspicuous way. nonce-use.
1793. [Earl Dundonald], Descr. Est. Culross, 30. From the … main lay of the Coal … a leader of Coal steals off as it were.
† h. To develop by insensible degrees from; to pass or change insensibly into, to something else.
1660. Dryden, Astræa Redux, 127. As wise Artists mix their Colours so That by degrees they from each other go, Black steals unheeded from the neighb’ring white.
a. 1759. Collins, Epist. to Hanmer, 114. Chaste and subdued the modest lights decay, Steal into shades, and mildly melt away.
1821. Clare, Vill. Minstr., II. 34. Buds to blossoms softly steal.
1826. Disraeli, Viv. Grey, V. iii. A bright sun-shiny afternoon was stealing into twilight.
i. Of an event, a proposal: To come upon a person without attracting attention.
1798. Sophia Lee, Canterb. T., Young Lady’s T., II. 336. Day had unobserved stolen upon them.
1819. J. Marshall, Constit. Opin. (1839), 161. The bill for incorporating the bank of the United States did not steal upon an unsuspecting legislature, and pass unobserved.
III. 12. The verb-stem in combination: steal-clothes, steal-coat (see quots.); † steal-counter, ? a gamester who cheats by stealing counters (in quot. fig.); † steal-placard, one who has stolen a ‘placard’ or begging licence; † steal-truth, a heresy.
1809. Edin. Rev., XIV. 143. ‘Wadds.’ This youthful amusement … is called, on the Borders, by the very appropriate name of Scotch and English. In the south of England, is has the blunter appellation of *steal-clothes.
[1825. Brockett, N. C. Gloss., Stealy-clothes, or Watch-webs, a game.]
1816. Gentl. Mag., July, 36/1. In Lancashire we have a game, for which I can procure no other name than *Steal Coat.
1588. Hay any Work, 6. That olde *stealecounter masse priest, John O Glossester.
1601. Deacon & Walker, Answ. Darel, 79. You are now (like a steale-counter) thus couertly creeping vnto their supposed dispossessions by prayer and fasting.
1592. Nashe, Saffron-Walden, N 1 b. Pigmey Dicke … is such another Venerian *steale Placard as Iohn was.
1628. H. Lynde, Via tuta, 48. By which publique notice, the *steale-truth was discouered.
