1. to steal something, especially in a sneaky or secretive way
Usage: formal; literary

Examples

• The employee purloins office supplies for personal use.
• She purloins cookies from the jar when no one is looking.
• The thief purloins valuable items from unlocked cars.
• He purloins ideas from other writers and claims them as his own.
• The student purloins answers by looking at her neighbor’s test.
• Someone purloins newspapers from the front steps every morning.