burglar
nounverbcommon in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈbɜːɡlə(ɹ)//
- United States//ˈbɝɡlɚ//
A person who breaks in to premises with the intent of committing a crime, usually theft.
noun
- 1
A person who breaks in to premises with the intent of committing a crime, usually theft.
The burglar made off with a large diamond from the museum.
In the village itself his lionheartedness had been a legend ever since he had brained a burglar with a number seven iron, and the jury in Guildford had, despite the clear direction of the judge, resolutely declined to convict him for the use of unnecessary force.
There’s good reason to worry. In an earlier memoir, “Five-Finger Discount,” Stapinski recreated the terrifying world of swindlers, embezzlers, burglars and mobster wannabes who made up her extended Jersey City family.
Corona, who carries a pistol filled not with bullets but with tequila and drives around in his pickup truck that says “Porder Batrol” on the side, says he was playing pickleball at the time, which allowed the burglar free rein to the territory.
Etymology
16th century, from Medieval Latin burglātor, British byform of burgātor (“burglar”), derived from burgō (“to commit burglary”), from Late Latin burgus (“fortified town”), itself probably from Frankish *burg (“fortress”), from Proto-Germanic *burgz, *burgiją (“borough, watch-tower”). The -l- in burglātor may have been inserted under influence from Latin latro (“thief”). The shortened English form may have arisen through confluence with Old French burgeor (“burglar”), itself from the same Latin source.
verb
- 1
To commit burglary.
The latter, with another constable, remained to watch the burglared premises both back and front, […]
Forms
- plural
- burglars
- past tense
- burglared
- past participle
- burglared
- present participle
- burglaring
- third person singular
- burglars
burglar · A person who breaks in to premises with the intent of committing a crime, usually theft.
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