pə(r)ˈlȯin, (ˈ)pər|l-, (ˈ)pə̄|l-, (ˈ)pəi|l- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English purloinen, from Anglo-French purloigner, from Old French porloigner to put off, delay, from por for + loing at a distance, from Latin longe, from longus long — more at purchase , long
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to set aside : render inoperative or ineffectual
2. : to take away for oneself : appropriate wrongfully and often under circumstances that involve a breach of trust : filch
intransitive verb
: to practice theft
Synonyms: see steal