[f. THIEF, thiev- (see note in etym. s.v.), or THIEVE v. + -ERY.]
1. The committing or practice of theft; stealing. With a and pl., An act of thieving.
1568. Fulwell, Like Will to Like, E j b. Yet better it is to beg moste shamefully, Then to be hanged and to theeuery our selues frame.
1580. Apol. Pr. Orange, in Phœnix (1721), I. 479. Their Thieveries and Sackings.
1623. T. Scot, Highw. God, 21. But the Theefe proceedes in his theeuery till he brings himselfe to the gallowes.
1722. De Foe, Col. Jack, vii. They were whipped so for picking pockets, and other petty thieveries.
1840. Carlyle, Heroes, iv. (1872), 138. We do not ‘tolerate’ Falsehoods, Thieveries, Iniquities.
1871. R. Ellis, Catullus, xlvii. 2. The greedy Piso’s Tools of thievery, rogues to famish ages.
2. The result or produce of thieving; stolen property. Cf. PILFERY 3.
1583. Stocker, Civ. Warres Lowe C., IV. 23 b. The Spaniardes departed Mastright, with their butin and theeuerie.
1606. Shaks., Tr. & Cr., IV. iv. 45. Now with a robbers haste Crams his rich theeuerie vp, he knowes not how.
1873. Browning, Red Cott. Nt.-cap, II. 720. A veriest trap of twigs On tree-top, every straw a thievery.
