adv. Chiefly Sc. [f. prec. + -LY2.] In a theftuous manner; by or as by theft; stealthily, secretly.

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c. 1400.  Sc. Trojan War, II. 1637. Vlixes stall thiftuisly Away, as grauntand him gilty.

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1567–8.  Reg. Privy Council Scot., I. 609. The leid upoun the Cathedrall Kirkis … is thiftuouslie stowin and takin away.

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1653.  Urquhart, Rabelais, II. xiv. One little villainous Turkie … rogue came thiefteously to snatch away some of my lardons.

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1880.  Muirhead, Ulpian, vii. § 2. If a husband have theftuously abstracted anything of his wife’s in prospect of divorce.

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1882.  Chamb. Jrnl., XIX. 73. On a late occasion, the tomb of a noble family was theftuously rifled of its contents.

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