/theef/ , n. , pl. thieves .
a person who steals, esp. secretly or without open force; one guilty of theft or larceny.
[ bef. 900; ME; OE theof; c. D dief, G Dieb, ON thjofr, Goth thiufs ]
Syn . burglar, pickpocket, highwayman. THIEF, ROBBER refer to one who steals. A THIEF takes the goods or property of another by stealth without the latter's knowledge: like a thief in the night. A ROBBER trespasses upon the house, property, or person of another, and makes away with things of value, even at the cost of violence: A robber held up two women on the street.