purloiner
(pɜːˈlɔɪnə(r))
[f. purloin v. + -er1.]
One who purloins; a petty thief, a pilferer.
| 1585 Abp. Sandys Serm. on Jas. iv. 8 (Parker Soc.) 135 Gleaners of other men's goods, and pillers, and purloiners. 1692 L'Estrange Fables cxviii. 93 It may seem..Hard..to see Publique Purloyners..sit..upon the Lives of the Little Ones, that go to the Gallows. 1711 Swift Examiner No. 29 Wks. 1841 I. 325/1 Why these purloiners of the public cause such a clutter to be made about their reputations. 1791–1823 D'Israeli Cur. Lit., Literary filchers, We have both forgers and purloiners..in the republic of letters. 1865 Pall Mall G. 6 Dec. 3 It is not only in nude statues that we English are for the most part mere prosaic purloiners from the antique. |