\Thief\ (th[=e]f), n.; pl. {Thieves} (th[=e]vz). [OE.
thef, theef, AS. [thorn]e['o]f; akin to OFries. thiaf, OS.
theof, thiof, D. dief, G. dieb, OHG. diob, Icel.
[thorn]j[=o]fr, Sw. tjuf, Dan. tyv, Goth. [thorn]iufs,
[thorn]iubs, and perhaps to Lith. tupeti to squat or crouch
down. Cf. {Theft}.]
1. One who steals; one who commits theft or larceny. See
   {Theft}.

         There came a privy thief, men clepeth death.
                                               --Chaucer.

         Where thieves break through and steal. --Matt. vi.
                                               19.

2. A waster in the snuff of a candle. --Bp. Hall.

{Thief catcher}. Same as {Thief taker}.

{Thief leader}, one who leads or takes away a thief.
   --L'Estrange.

{Thief taker}, one whose business is to find and capture
   thieves and bring them to justice.

{Thief tube}, a tube for withdrawing a sample of a liquid
   from a cask.

{Thieves' vinegar}, a kind of aromatic vinegar for the sick
   room, taking its name from the story that thieves, by
   using it, were enabled to plunder, with impunity to
   health, in the great plague at London. [Eng.]

Syn: Robber; pilferer.

Usage: {Thief}, {Robber}. A thief takes our property by
       stealth; a robber attacks us openly, and strips us by
       main force.

             Take heed, have open eye, for thieves do foot by
             night.                            --Shak.

             Some roving robber calling to his fellows.
                                               --Milton.