GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
last match results
Found 4 definitions
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Stale (stāl), n. [OE. stale, stele, AS. stael, stel; akin to LG. & D. steel, G. stiel; cf. L. stilus stake, stalk, stem, Gr. στελεόν a handle, and E. stall, stalk, n.] The stock or handle of anything; as, “the stale of a rake”. [Written also steal, stele, etc.]
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But seeing the arrow's stale without, and that the head did go
No further than it might be seen. Chapman.
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Steal (stēl), n. [See Stale a handle.] A handle; a stale, or stele. [Archaic or Prov. Eng.]
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And in his hand a huge poleax did bear.
Whose steale was iron-studded but not long. Spenser.
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Steal (stēl), v. t. [imp. Stole (stōl); p. p. Stolen (stōˈl'n); p. pr. & vb. n. Stealing.] [OE. stelen, AS. stelan; akin to OFries. stela, D. stelen, OHG. stelan, G. stehlen, Icel. stela, SW. stjäla, Dan. stiaele, Goth. stilan.]
1. To take, and carry away, feloniously; to take without right or leave, and with intent to keep wrongfully; as, “to steal the personal goods of another”.
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Maugre thy heed, thou must for indigence
Or steal, or beg, or borrow, thy dispense. Chaucer.
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The man who stole a goose and gave away the giblets in alms. G. Eliot.
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2. To withdraw or convey clandestinely (reflexive); hence, to creep furtively, or to insinuate.
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They could insinuate and steal themselves under the same by their humble carriage and submission. Spenser.
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He will steal himself into a man's favor. Shak.
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3. To gain by insinuating arts or covert means.
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So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. 2 Sam. xv. 6.
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4. To get into one's power gradually and by imperceptible degrees; to take possession of by a gradual and imperceptible appropriation; -- with away.
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Variety of objects has a tendency to steal away the mind from its steady pursuit of any subject. I. Watts.
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5. To accomplish in a concealed or unobserved manner; to try to carry out secretly; as, “to steal a look”.
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Always, when thou changest thine opinion or course, profess it plainly, . . . and do not think to steal it. Bacon.
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To steal a march, to march in a covert way; to gain an advantage unobserved; -- formerly followed by of, but now by on or upon, and sometimes by over; as, to steal a march upon one's political rivals.
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She yesterday wanted to steal a march of poor Liddy. Smollett.
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Fifty thousand men can not easily steal a march over the sea. Walpole.
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Syn. -- To filch; pilfer; purloin; thieve.
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Steal (stēl), v. i.
1. To practice, or be guilty of, theft; to commit larceny or theft.
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Thou shalt not steal. Ex. xx. 15.
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2. To withdraw, or pass privily; to slip in, along, or away, unperceived; to go or come furtively. Chaucer.
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Fixed of mind to avoid further entreaty, and to fly all company, one night she stole away. Sir P. Sidney.
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From whom you now must steal, and take no leave. Shak.
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A soft and solemn breathing sound
Rose like a steam of rich, distilled perfumes,
And stole upon the air. Milton.
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