Steal /(stēl)/

Steal

n.
  1. A handle; a stale, or stele. [Archaic or Prov. Eng.]
    And in his hand a huge poleax did bear. Whose steale was iron-studded but not long.

Steal

v. t.

imp. Stole; p. p. Stolen; p. pr. & vb. n. Stealing

  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.
    Maugre thy heed, thou must for indigence Or steal, or beg, or borrow, thy dispense.
    The man who stole a goose and gave away the giblets in alms.
  2. To withdraw or convey clandestinely (reflexive); hence, to creep furtively, or to insinuate.
    They could insinuate and steal themselves under the same by their humble carriage and submission.
    He will steal himself into a man's favor.
  3. To gain by insinuating arts or covert means.
    So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
    — 2 Sam. xv. 6.
  4. To get into one's power gradually and by imperceptible degrees; to take possession of by a gradual and imperceptible appropriation; -- with away.
    Variety of objects has a tendency to steal away the mind from its steady pursuit of any subject.
  5. To accomplish in a concealed or unobserved manner; to try to carry out secretly; as, to steal a look.
    Always, when thou changest thine opinion or course, profess it plainly, . . . and do not think to steal it.
    She yesterday wanted to steal a march of poor Liddy.
    Fifty thousand men can not easily steal a march over the sea.

Phrases & Compounds
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.

Steal

v. i.
  1. To practice, or be guilty of, theft; to commit larceny or theft.
    Thou shalt not steal.
    — Ex. xx. 15.
  2. To withdraw, or pass privily; to slip in, along, or away, unperceived; to go or come furtively.
    Fixed of mind to avoid further entreaty, and to fly all company, one night she stole away.
    From whom you now must steal, and take no leave.
    A soft and solemn breathing sound Rose like a steam of rich, distilled perfumes, And stole upon the air.