Definitions

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Thieving in a small way.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb Present participle of pilfer.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

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Examples

  • Given Ms. Dowd's celebrity status and her snarky persona -- at least on TV -- I wouldn't be surprised if she probably thought that no one reads TPM and what's a little pilfering from a blog, anyway?

    More Than Just Cut and Paste 2009

  • According to T-Mobile, until you otherwise hear from them, you can discount Pwnmobile's claims that he has been pilfering from the T-Mobile's databases "for some time," and has ready access to "everything, their databases, confidential documents, scripts and programs from their servers, financial documents up to 2009."

    T-Mobile confirms company records taken 2009

  • Open source plagiarism and pilfering is just the way of the online innovator these days.

    Facebook to Settle Thorny Lawsuit Over Its Origins - Bits Blog - NYTimes.com 2008

  • Rather, the Administration simply doesn't want to have to tell anyone, much less a court of law, what it's doing, even if that involves breaking, entering and pilfering from the homes and offices of American citizens.

    Balkinization 2006

  • When detected in pilfering, they appear extremely foolish and ashamed, because it is superlatively dishonorable - not to steal - but to have failed in an attempt, the complete achievement of which would have added renown to their characters for dexterity and address.

    Life in the Rocky Mountains 1844

  • Let’s just say, methinks the good “Dr.” has been pilfering from the Oxycontin supplies a bit too much.

    Think Progress » Ed Schultz Tells Robert Gibbs He’s ‘Full Of Sh*t’ And ‘You’re Losing Your Base’ 2010

  • Some people steal time from their employer, called malingering, or steal goods from their employer, called pilfering.

    Creative Capitalism Michael Kinsley with Conor Clarke 2009

  • Some people steal time from their employer, called malingering, or steal goods from their employer, called pilfering.

    Creative Capitalism Michael Kinsley with Conor Clarke 2009

  • Some people steal time from their employer, called malingering, or steal goods from their employer, called pilfering.

    Creative Capitalism Michael Kinsley with Conor Clarke 2009

  • In their disposition they are courteous and obliging; and they are not in the least addicted to pilfering, which is more than can be asserted concerning any other nation in this sea.

    Narrative of the Voyages Round The World, Performed by Captain James Cook 2003

Comments

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  • This cracks me up.

    "He showed me an extraordinary video of sperm whales pilfering catch from fishermen’s lines in Alaska, 50-foot-long, massive-jawed behemoths delicately snatching a single black cod from a longline’s dangling hook, like an hors d’oeuvre from a cocktail toothpick. Fishermen are currently losing 5 to 10 percent of their yearly haul and fear the problem could become worse because whales who have mastered the technique are busily teaching it to others. The news seems to be rapidly spreading, as reports of similar fish-snatching are coming in from fishermen all over the world."

    Seen here.

    July 15, 2009

  • Yay for the whales!

    July 15, 2009