verb
steal
To move quietly or gradually without attracting attention.
She steals quietly through the garden before dawn.
Etymology
Theft's secrecy supplies the movement sense. To steal away or gradually onward is to move without drawing attention.
More examples
- He stole away while the others were talking.
- A smile stole across her face.
- By evening, a chill had stolen into the room.
Forms
steal · steals · stole · stolen · stealing