[f. as prec. + -ING2.] That thieves or acts like a thief.
1598. Marston, Pygmal., V. 157.
| When theeuing Mercury | |
| That euen in his new borne infancy | |
| Stole faire Apollos quiuer, and Ioues mace. |
1823. Scott, Quentin D., vi. I will teach these misbelieving, thieving sorcerers, to interfere with the King’s justice.
1897. Mary Kingsley, W. Africa, vi. 107. Canoes … drawn up out of the reach of the ever-mischievous, thieving sea.
† b. Thieving nutmeg: see quots. Obs.
1668. Phil. Trans., III. 863. The Nutmeg called Theeving; because that being put among a whole room full of good Nutmegs, though it be but one, it will corrupt them all.
1681. Grew, Musæum, IV. ii. 376. The Fruit … of … the Thieving-Nutmeg, because it infects and spoils the good ones where it lies.
1693. Sir T. P. Blount, Nat. Hist., 45.
Hence Thievingly adv., by way of thieving, theftuously.
1880. Ruskin, Fors Clav., lxxxix. 144. Every pleasure got … cheaply, thievingly, and swiftly.
