verb
burgle
BUR-gul/ˈbɜːrɡl/
To enter a building illegally and steal from it.
The thieves burgle the empty house while its owners are away.
Etymology
Burgle was made from burglar by treating the person's name as though it contained an agent ending. The resulting verb names what a burglar does: enter unlawfully to steal.
In context
Street crime is a handson crime. Even if you burgle an empty apartment, it is an apartment. It is an object. When you enter the apartment, you witness the lives of the occupants.
More examples
- Someone burgled the shop during the night.
- They were arrested after burgling several apartments.
- The alarm sounded as the intruder tried to burgle the office.
Forms
burgle · burgles · burgled · burgling
Similar words
- rob
- Takes property from a person or place, while burgle emphasizes unlawful entry.