Pilfer

['pɪlfə]

(verb.) make off with belongings of others.

Edited by Andrea--From WordNet

(v. i.) To steal in small quantities, or articles of small value; to practice petty theft.

(v. t.) To take by petty theft; to filch; to steal little by little.

Checker: McDonald

v. a. Steal (by petty theft), filch, purloin, CABBAGE, bob.

v. n. Steal, thieve, practise petty theft.

Edited by Harold

SYN:Abstract, peculate, filch, purloin, smuggle, cabbage, steal, thieve

ANT:Pillage, ransack, plunder, rifle, spoil

Inputed by Cornelia

v.i. to steal small things.—v.t. to steal by petty theft.—ns. Pil′ferer; Pil′fering Pil′fery petty theft.—adv. Pil′feringly.

Checker: Michelle

Pilfering was _housebreaking_ to Mr. Woodhouse's fears. Jane Austen. Emma.
He returned to the parlour, pilfered a thread of silk from his sister's work-basket, tied the flowers, and laid them on Caroline's desk. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.

Edited by Donnie