Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
THEFT, n. Also †thift; tift (Sh.). Sc. usages, esp. in Sc. Law: the gen. word for what is termed larceny in Eng. Law. Derivs. †(1) theftdom, thievery, theft; (2) theft(e)(u)ous, †thief-, thievish, pilfering; furtive, stealthy. Adv. theft(u)ously (Dmf. 1775 Dmf. Weekly Mag. (26 Dec.) 96; Per. 1830 Per. Advertiser (11 Feb.)).(1) Sc. 1849 M. Oliphant M. Maitland xvii.:
There was many a theftdom found out in the farm-houses round about.(2) Arg. 1700 Arg. Justiciary Records (Stair Soc.) I. 192:
The said Ronald M'Donald did thiefteously steall ane large sow.Rxb. 1735 Stitchill Court Bk. (S.H.S.) 191:
Indicted of several theftuous actions.Sc. 1772 Weekly Mag. (30 April) 160:
Margaret Wylie was publicly whipt, for theftuous practices.Sc. 1811 J. Burnett Crim. Law 123:
The goods were originally theftuously taken out of the possession of the owner.Rxb. 1868 Hawick Advertiser (18 April) 3:
All and each or one or other of them . . . steal and theftuously away take from Tower Knowe Mill. . . .Sc. 1881 D. Masson De Quincy 138:
A theftuous hope to amuse an hour.Sc. 1883 H. Drummond Natural Law 342:
By means of its twining and theftuous roots.Kcb. 1897 Crockett Lochinvar xxxiii.:
For all the world like a theftuous schoolboy.
