Middle English Dictionary Entry

thẹ̄f n.(2)
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Entry Info

Forms thẹ̄f n.(2) Also thef(f)e, theve, theif, thief, thieve, thif, thif(f)e, ȝef(e, (SW) thuf & (chiefly early) þeof, (early SWM) þove & (in place name) yve- & (errors) þhes, thepf; pl. theves, thefs, etc. & thevous, thewis, theoves, thives, (SW) thueves & (early) þefas, þeofas, þeovas, (gen.) þeovene, (in place name) theofves-.
Etymology OE þēof, þīof.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1a.
(a) One who steals, a thief, robber; also fig.; ~ of preie; dai ~ [see also dai n., sense 13.(d)]; (b) one who robs by stealth, a sneak thief; also fig.; also, one who steals by cheating others; night ~ [see also night n. 6.(d)]; (c) one who robs by force or the threat of force, a mugger; a brigand, bandit; also fig.; also, one who robs by breaking into a house; (d) a pirate; also, a slaver; ~ of the se, se ~; (e) a poacher; one who steals livestock; ~ of bestes; (f) one who practices simony or usury; (g)one who withholds improperly what should be given to others as charity; one who appropriates for himself what is not properly his; one who takes something without need; also fig.; also, one who takes credit unjustly, a braggart [quot. c1450]; an accessory to a theft [quots. 1340, 1st & 2nd]; ~ felaue; (h) one of the two thieves crucified with Christ; (i) noiinge to a ~ [misreading of L nocentes feri as nocentes furi].
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1b.
A bird of prey; ~ of the air.
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2.
(a) A wretch, scoundrel, an evildoer; a despicable person or being;—also used of Satan [last quot.] or an idol [quot. a1500(?a1400)]; ~ of helle, Satan; theves of helle, demons; theves seven, fig. the seven deadly sins; (b) an outlaw, a criminal; an outcast; (c) a freebooter, raider, marauder; one who fights for the sake of plunder, a pillager; litel theves; (d) a false, duplicitous person; a liar; a dissimulator; ~ traitour (trichour); fals ~.
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3a.
In misc. combs. & phrases: (a) theves diche, diche to theves, theves place (recet), den of theves, a den of thieves; (b) ~ commune (feloun, open), commune (feloun, open, strong) ~, a brazen thief, notorious villain; (c) ~ prive, prive ~, a thief who is familiar, one who steals from friends, employers, etc.; a stealthy thief [quot. c1390];—used of personified death; a secret betrayer, traitor; (d) theves tre, fig. a cross for crucifixion; (e) infangene ~, q.v.; outfangene ~, q.v.
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3b.
In cpds.: (a) ~ bote, the act of accepting stolen goods as a bribe for not prosecuting the thief; also, the goods used in such a transaction; ~ felaue [see sense 1a.(g)]; ~ reveres, ?robbers; ?error for these reveres [cp. thes(e adj.]; ~ wike, ?a place where prisoners are kept; dai ~, a robber or bandit who steals in the daytime; men theves, ?male robbers; night ~ [see also sense 1a.(b)]; (b) ~ stolen, stolen by thieves.
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4.
In proverbial sayings and stock similes.
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5.
The word 'thief'.
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6.
In surname and place names.
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Supplemental Materials (draft)

Note: Sense 6. (only one quot. with spelling thefe) in the print MED and the first edition of the eMED has been sent to thef n.(3). --per MLL.
Note: The use of fur and latro in John 10.8 seemed to demand a distinction, which is reflected in the pair 'night thief' and 'day thief.' See DMLBS s.v. fur. "tempore nocturno fur aufert, latro diurno" Garl. Syn. 1585C; "hic fur, a nyte thefe, tempore nocturno fur aufert, latro diurno" WW.

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