thievish, a.
(ˈθiːvɪʃ)
Forms: α. 5 thef-, 6 theaffish. β. 5–6 theu-, 6 thev-, 6–7 theeu-, 6–8 theev-, 6– thievish.
[f. thief, thiev- (see note in etym. s.v.) + -ish1.]
† 1. Infested or frequented by thieves. Obs.
| 1483 Cath. Angl. 382/2 Thefyische (A. A Thefis place), crebrifurus, spoliatorium. 1535 Coverdale 1 Macc. i. 35 Thus became it a theuysh castell. 1541 Bible (Cranmer) Ps. x. 8 He syteth lurkyng in y⊇ theuish corners of the stretes. 1592 Shakes. Rom. & Jul. iv. i. 79 Or walke in theeuish waies. 1632 Lithgow Trav. vii. 335 Three French murderers set vppon me in a theeuish Wood. |
2. Inclined or given to thieving; dishonest.
| 1538 Elyot, Furax, acis, theuyshe, a great picker. 1552 Huloet, Theaffyshe and thieuyshe, furax, cis. 1555 Eden Decades 300 A theeuysshe kynd of men. 1575 Gamm. Gurton v. ii, A theeuisher knaue is not on liue. 1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 236 Rashboots a theeuish but valiant people in India vnder the Mogul. 1748 Anson's Voy. iii. x. 414 Their Magistrates are corrupt their people thievish. 1883 J. Gilmour Mongols xxxi. 363 The Mongol is despised as ignorant, dirty, stupid, and thievish. |
3. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a thief or thieves; thief-like; furtive, stealthy.
| c 1450 [implied in thievishly adv.]. c 1460 [implied in thievishness]. 1587 Turberv. Trag. T. (1837) 152 Yet wrought it not so well, For all their theevish pace. 1600 Shakes. A.Y.L. ii. iii. 33 Enforce A theeuish liuing on the common rode. c 1600 ― Sonn. lxxvii, Times theeuish progresse to eternitie. 1691 Hartcliffe Virtues 95 According to the manner of Thievish War, the Conqueror by Proclamation gave away the Houses and Possessions of such as were vanquished. 1735 Thomson Liberty iii. 399 Corruption's Thievish Arts. 1837 W. Irving Capt. Bonneville III. 8 Their extortion, and their thievish propensities. |