Middle English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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Inherited from Old English þīefþ, from Proto-West Germanic *þiubiþu, from Proto-Germanic *þiubiþō; equivalent to thef +‎ -the (abstract nominal suffix).

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈθeːft(ə)/, /ˈθɛft(ə)/, /ˈθeːfθ(ə)/, /ˈθɛfθ(ə)/
  • (mainly southern ME) IPA(key): /ˈθiːft(ə)/, /θift(ə)/

Noun

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thefte

  1. Theft, stealing, robbery (in general or as an individual instance):
    1. Financial fraud; the mishandling of money.
    2. Something seen as analogous or equivalent to theft.
  2. Stolen or illegally acquired goods.

Descendants

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  • English: theft
  • Scots: thift, theft

References

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