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What is "thievish"

Crossword clues for thievish

thievish
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
thievish
adjective
EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS
▪ He was frail and spotted, with the drawn and thievish look of a figure in a ducal portrait.
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Thievish

Thievish \Thiev"ish\, a.

  1. Given to stealing; addicted to theft; as, a thievish boy, a thievish magpie.

  2. Like a thief; acting by stealth; sly; secret.

    Time's thievish progress to eternity.
    --Shak.

  3. Partaking of the nature of theft; accomplished by stealing; dishonest; as, a thievish practice.

    Or with a base and biosterous sword enforce A thievish living on the common road.
    --Shak. [1913 Webster] -- Thiev"ish*ly, adv. -- Thiev"ish*ness, n.

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
thievish

mid-15c., "of or pertaining to thieves," from thieve or thief + -ish. Meaning "inclined to steal" is from 1530s. Wyclif and Chaucer used thiefly (late 14c.). Related: Thievishly; thievishness.

Wiktionary
thievish

a. 1 Having a tendency to steal 2 Having the manner of a thief; furtive

WordNet
thievish

adj. given to thievery [syn: thieving(a)]

Usage examples of "thievish".

Also, the thievish herb, when bruised and applied externally to scrofulous tumours, is an excellent remedy.

They were not wantonly cruel, nor extortionate, nor even pettily thievish.

Reynard, still undismayed, demanded with well-feigned indignation whether he was to be held responsible for the sins of those messengers whose misfortunes were attributable to their gluttonous and thievish propensities only.

Two of them were scarcely more than boys, while another pair were thick-set, lumpish, thievish rascals, sodden with drink.