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American Dictionary of the English Language

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Steal


STEAL, verb transitive preterit tense stole; participle passive stolen, stole. [G. L, to take, to lift.]

1. To take and carry away feloniously, as the personal goods of another. To constitute stealing or theft, the taking must be felonious, that is, with an intent to take what belongs to another, and without his consent.

Let him that stole, steal no more. Ephesians 4:28.

2. To Withdraw or convey without notice or clandestinely.

They could insinuate and steal themselves under the same by submission.

3. To gain or win by address or gradual and imperceptible means.

Variety of objects has a tendency to steal away the mind from its steady pursuit of any subject.

So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. 2 Samuel 15:1.

STEAL, verb intransitive

1. To withdraw or pass privily; to slip along or away unperceived.

Fixed of mind to fly all company, one night she stole away.

From whom you now must steal and take no leave.

A soft and solemn breathing sound rose like a steam of rich distilld perfumes, and stole upon the air.

2. To practice theft; to take feloniously. He steals for a livelihood.

Thou shalt not steal Exodus 20:15.