v., n., & adj.
--v.
1. intr. & tr. (foll. by in, out, past, away, etc.) go or convey furtively; slink.
2 tr. sl. steal unobserved; make off with.
3 intr. Brit. schoolsl. tell tales; turn informer.
4 intr. (as sneaking adj.) a furtive; undisclosed (have a sneaking affection for him). b persistent in one's mind; nagging (a sneaking feeling that it is not right).
--n.
1. a mean-spirited cowardly underhand person.
2 Brit. schoolsl. a tell-tale.
--adj. acting or done without warning; secret (a sneak attack).
Phrases and idioms:
sneak-thief a thief who steals without breaking in; a pickpocket.
Derivatives:
sneakingly adv.
Etymology: 16th c., prob. dial.: perh. rel. to ME snike, OE snican creep