thef

thef

Middle English

Alternative forms

• theef, theff, thyef, þef, þeef, þief, þyef, þeof, thefe

Etymology

From Old English þēof, from Proto-Germanic *þeubaz.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /θeːf/

Noun

thef (plural theves or thefes)

1. A thief; one who performs the act of theft:
   1. One who thieves or steals surreptitiously or secretly.
   2. One who thieves using violence (such as a highwayman)
   3. One who practices poaching; a stealer of animals.
   4. One who defrauds others of assets or fame.
2. A malicious, evil, or wicked person:
   1. A kidnapper; one who holds others in captivity.
   2. A person who enters conflict for loot or booty.
   3. A practitioner of lying or deception; one who is dishonest.
   4. One who performs a crime; a felon or malefactor.
3. An usurer; one who lends or loans money.

Related terms

• theft
• thefly
• thevysch

Descendants

• English: thief
• Scots: thef, theif, thief

References

• “thẹ̄f (n.(2))” in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 2018-10-21.