purloin
C2Formal, literary, sometimes humorous or ironic.
Definition
Meaning
To steal something, especially in a secretive or dishonest manner.
To appropriate or take something for one's own use, often implying a breach of trust or a subtle, furtive act of theft.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word carries connotations of stealth, cunning, and often a violation of trust. It is more specific than 'steal', suggesting the item taken is relatively small or the act is done surreptitiously. It is rarely used for violent or large-scale theft.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. It is a formal/literary term in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, it can sound slightly old-fashioned, quaint, or deliberately euphemistic/playful.
Frequency
Equally rare in both British and American English, found primarily in formal writing, legal contexts, or humorous affectation.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] purloin [Object] (from [Source])Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “'To have a purloined look' (rare, humorous) meaning to look guilty of having stolen something.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used in formal reports about embezzlement or misappropriation of assets: 'The clerk was found to have purloined petty cash.'
Academic
Used in literary analysis or historical texts describing theft: 'The protagonist purloins the incriminating evidence.'
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation. If used, it's for humorous effect: 'Who purloined my last biscuit?'
Technical
Occasionally in legal language, though 'misappropriate' or 'convert' is more standard.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The butler was suspected of purloining the family silver.
- She managed to purloin the exam answers from the teacher's desk.
American English
- The intern was fired for purloining office supplies.
- He jokingly accused his roommate of purloining his favorite hoodie.
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverb form.)
American English
- (No standard adverb form.)
adjective
British English
- (No standard adjective form. 'Purloined' is the past participle.) The purloined letter was the key to the mystery.
American English
- (No standard adjective form. 'Purloined' is the past participle.) They searched for the purloined necklace.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The novel's plot revolves around a purloined painting.
- Someone has purloined my umbrella from the stand.
- The agent was accused of purloining sensitive documents for a foreign power.
- The satire relied on the premise of a politician purloining public funds for personal extravagance.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a PURPLE LOINCLOTH being sneakily stolen from a royal wardrobe. PURple-loin -> PURLOIN.
Conceptual Metaphor
THEFT IS A SECRETIVE ACT OF TAKING (with added nuance of cunning and breach of trust).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'присвоить' (appropriate) which lacks the inherent stealth. 'Purloin' is closer to 'украсть украдкой' or 'похитить' (in a non-violent sense).
- It is a much more specific and formal word than the general 'красть'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it for grand theft ('He purloined the Mona Lisa' sounds odd).
- Using it in an informal context where 'pinch', 'nick', or 'steal' would be natural.
- Incorrect pronunciation: /ˈpɜːlɔɪn/ (stress on first syllable) is wrong.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'purloin' MOST appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a formal, literary, and relatively rare word. In everyday speech, 'steal', 'pinch', or 'nick' are far more common.
'Purloin' is a more specific type of stealing. It implies the act is done stealthily, secretly, and often involves a breach of trust or taking something of relatively small size. 'Steal' is the general, neutral term.
Yes, because of its formal and slightly old-fashioned tone, it is often used in a playful or ironic way to describe minor, petty theft, like taking the last slice of cake.
It comes from the Anglo-Norman word 'purloigner', meaning 'to put away, remove', from 'loin' (far). Its original sense was 'to set aside, misappropriate', which evolved into its modern meaning of stealthy theft.
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