I. ˈpilfə(r) noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English pilfre, from Middle French pelfre
archaic : something that is pilfered ; also : the act of pilfering : pilferage
II. verb
( pilfered ; pilfered ; pilfering -f(ə)riŋ ; pilfers )
Etymology: Middle French pelfrer, from pelfre booty
intransitive verb
: plunder , rob ; especially : to steal little by little or by taking articles of small value : commit or practice petty theft
pilfered from his fellow students — Times Literary Supplement
transitive verb
1. : to steal in small quantities : filch
pilfered his roommate's stamps and writing paper
2. : to take (as ideas or thoughts) and use as one's own : crib
able to pilfer all the new ideas of industrial construction — Emil Lengyel
Synonyms: see steal