ˈsea-thief
[Cf. G. seedieb.]
A pirate, a sea-rover.
| c 1050 Voc. in Wr.-Wülcker 347/26 Archipiratta, heah sæðeof. 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) I. 173 Sclauonia..haþ wylde men and see þeues. Ibid. VI. 415 Þe see þeves of Danes. 1576 Curteys Two Serm. C j b, Th'one be Sea theeues suche as lye in the straights and corners of the Sea, & take other mens goods from them by force. 1627 Drayton Elegies, Lady Aston's Dep. 50 Or if some proling Rouer shall but dare, To seize the ship.., Let the fell fishes of the Maine appeare, And tell those Sea-thiefes, that [etc.]. 1891 E. Peacock N. Brendon I. 59 The sea-thieves were taken by surprise. |
| transf. 1591 Sylvester Du Bartas i. v. 340 Those small white Fish..Combine themselves, that their joynt strength doth hold Against the greediest of the Sea-theeves' sallies. |