þeof

þeof

1. (chiefly Early Middle English) alternative form of thef

From Proto-Germanic *þeubaz. Cognate with Old Frisian thiāf, Old Saxon thiof, Old High German diob, Old Norse þjófr, Gothic 𐌸𐌹𐌿𐍆𐍃 (þiufs).

• IPA^(key): /θe͜oːf/

þēof m

1. thief
   • late 10th century, Ælfric, Lives of Saints

     Is nū ēac to witenne þæt man witnaþ foroft þā ārlēasan sċeaþan and þā swicolan þēofas...

     It is also now known that we very often punish the honorless robbers and the treacherous thieves...

2. (rare) theft

Strong a-stem:

• Middle English: thef, theef, þef, þeef, þeof, thief, þief, þyef (Kent, Essex), thefe, theff, thyef (Late Middle English)
  • English: thief
  • Middle Scots: thef, theif, thief
    • Scots: thief