Words / C1

pur-LOYN/pɜːˈlɔɪn/

To purloin is to steal, often sneakily rather than by open force: purloin the night slice, purloin a line. Steal (already in the dictionary) is everyday; dropping a slice without a note is still a methods fail.

Meaning

To steal something, often in a sneaky way (from steal, already in the dictionary).

Examples

• “Do not purloin the night slice from the n without a codebook note.”
• “Steal is already in this course. Filch is the close twin. Clarity is a slogan. A named list with a date is methods. Write the frame; then drop the slice if the ethics minute still allows the cut.”

Good to know

Steal, especially sneakily. Everyday: steal (already in the dictionary). “Clarity” ≠ a codebook note.

Near in meaning

filch, pinch, steal

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