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pil·fer

(pĭlfər)

v. pil·fered, pil·fer·ing, pil·fers

v.tr.

To steal (a small amount or item). See Synonyms at steal.

v.intr.

To steal or filch.

[From Middle English pilfre, booty, spoils, from Old French pelfre; probably akin to felpe, frepe, old clothes; see FRIPPERY.]

pilfer·age (-ĭj) n.

pilfer·er n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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