pilferage etymology

Etymology:

• Early 17th century: from Middle French pilfer, pelfrer ('steal'), of unknown origin.

Meaning:

• The act of stealing small amounts, especially without using force.

Origin:

The precise origin of the word "pilfer" is uncertain, but there are several possible theories:

• Vulgar Latin: It may derive from Latin pilfra, pilfer ('thief, plunderer'), which is of unknown origin.
• Germanic: It has been suggested that it may be related to German pilfern ('to pilfer'), which is itself of uncertain origin.
• Celtic: Some scholars have proposed that it may derive from an unrecorded Celtic word meaning 'to carry off secretly'.
• Onomatopoeic: It has also been suggested that the word may be onomatopoeic, imitating the sound of something being stealthily taken.

However, none of these theories has been definitively proven, and the true origin of "pilfer" remains an enigma.

pilferage relate terms

• pilfer

  Etymology Old French pilfer Latin pilfare meaning to filch or steal Proto Indo

• pelf

  Etymology and Meaning The word pelf is derived from the Middle English word pilf mea

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• digital

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• oblivion

  Etymology Latin oblivīsci to forget Ultimately from the Proto Indo European r

• blatant

  Etymology Blatant originates from the Middle English word blatant which in turn de

• behold

  Etymology Origin Old English behaldan from Proto Germanic bihanthaldiz derived fr

• usher

  Etymology The word usher is derived from the Old French word huissier which means