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Pilfer   /pˈɪlfər/   Listen
verb
Pilfer  v. t.  To take by petty theft; to filch; to steal little by little. "And not a year but pilfers as he goes Some youthful grace that age would gladly keep."



Pilfer  v. i.  (past & past part. pilfered; pres. part. pilfering)  To steal in small quantities, or articles of small value; to practice petty theft.






Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48








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"Pilfer" Quotes from Famous Books



... went out with my father, I got him to take me there for a moment. As we approached the shop, Garoffi issued from it on a run, with a package in his hand, and making his big cloak, with which he covers up his merchandise, flutter. Ah! now I know where he goes to pilfer iron filings, which he sells for old papers, that barterer of a Garoffi! When we arrived in front of the door, we saw Precossi seated on a little pile of bricks, engaged in studying his lesson, with his book resting on his knees. He rose quickly and invited us to enter. It ...
— Cuore (Heart) - An Italian Schoolboy's Journal • Edmondo De Amicis

... were not stopped drifting to the abyss while still young, with the evil training that depraved tramps gave them, it would be merely a matter of time before they too would have learned to destroy and pilfer railroad property; rob box cars and stations, and thus repay with almost brutal ingratitude those who had permitted them to travel ...
— The Trail of the Tramp • A-No. 1 (AKA Leon Ray Livingston)

... point nearest their pollen-collecting hairs. It is also an economical advantage to the flower which can sift the pollen downward on the bee instead of exposing it to the pollen-eating interlopers. Among the latter may be classed the bumblebees and butterflies whose long lips and tongues pilfer ad libitum. "For the proper visitors of the bearded violets," says Professor Robertson, "we must look to the small bees, among which the ...
— Wild Flowers, An Aid to Knowledge of Our Wild Flowers and - Their Insect Visitors - - Title: Nature's Garden • Neltje Blanchan

... us!" cried the peevish chits, "Can babes like us live by our wits? With perils compassed round, can we Preserve our lives and liberty? Ah! how escape the fowler's snare, And gard'ner with his gun in air, Who, if we pilfer plums or pears, Will scatter lead about our ears? And you would drop a mournful head To see your little pies lie dead!" "My dears," she said, and kissed their bills, "The wise by foresight baffle ills, A wise descent you claim; To bang a gun off takes some time,— A man ...
— Fables of John Gay - (Somewhat Altered) • John Gay

... With bunches of fennel, and nosegays before 'em; Both cover their faces with mobs and all that; 45 But the judge bids them, angrily, take off their hat. When uncover'd, a buzz of enquiry runs round, — 'Pray what are their crimes?' — 'They've been pilfering found.' 'But, pray, whom have they pilfer'd?' — 'A Doctor, I hear.' 'What, yon solemn-faced, odd-looking man that stands near!' 50 'The same.' — 'What a pity! how does it surprise one! Two handsomer culprits I never set eyes on!' Then their friends all come round me with cringing and leering, To melt me to pity, ...
— The Complete Poetical Works of Oliver Goldsmith • Oliver Goldsmith


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