[f. STEAL v.1 + -ER.] One who steals; a thief; now only, one who steals something specified.
1500–20. Dunbar, Poems, xxvii. 11. Off stomok steillaris and clayth takkaris, A graceless garisoun.
1508. Reg. Privy Seal Scot., I. 238/1. He dredis that the stelaris of it [a seal] hes fenȝeit and maid fals lettrez … on his behalff.
1538. Elyot, Dict. Plagiarius, also a stealer of bokes.
1547–64. Bauldwin, Mor. Philos. 6. Cut off stealers hands. Hang up theeves and robbers.
1583. Babington, Commandm., 338. The cause why the stealer stole was want of labouring in his calling.
1585. Higins, Junius’ Nomencl., 528/1. Mango,… a stealer away of mens children or seruants that selleth and buyeth them.
1649. J. Owen, Serm. H. of C., Of Toleration, 44. If so, why doe Adulterers unmolested, behold the violent death of Stealers.
1769. Cook, 1st Voy., I. xv. in Hawkesw., Voy. (1773), II. 157. A Chief … whose father’s name was Pahairedo, the stealer of boats.
1829. Bentham, Justice & Cod. Petit., 29. The authority, from which the power was thus filched, was … that of some judge or judges, co-ordinate with that of the stealers.
1878. B. Taylor, Pr. Deukalion, I. v. 45. Older than thou, the stealer of the fire!
b. slang. The ten stealers: the fingers.
[1603. Shaks., Ham., III. ii. 349. By these pickers and stealers.]
a. 1639. R. Davenport, K. John of Matilda, III. i. Since they have neither eaten bit nor drunk drop, nor by these ten stealers shall not, till I heare againe from my Lord.
