noun
theft
THEFT/θeft/
The act or crime of stealing property.
The theft occurs as a gloved hand removes the wallet while its owner looks away.
Etymology
Old English þeofð already named the act of stealing. Its proposed earlier formation combines the word for “thief” with an abstract-noun ending, distinguishing the act from the person who commits it.
In context
now the crimes of theft robbery and burglary are commonly lumped together because most people believe they involve the unlawful taking of someone else's property
More examples
- She reports the theft of her bicycle to the police.
- Several car thefts occurred in the neighborhood last week.
- The insurance policy covers theft but not accidental damage.
Forms
theft · thefts
thief noun — A person who steals someone else's property.