different between thief vs curber

English

Alternative forms

• theef

Etymology

From Middle English thef, theef, þef, from Old English þ?of, from Proto-Germanic *þeubaz. Spelling from Northern England, where /e?o/ became [i?] rather than [e?]. (Compare the spelling of deep from Old English deop.)

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) enPR: th?f, IPA^(key): /?i?f/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?if/
• Rhymes: -i?f

Noun

thief (plural thieves)

1. One who carries out a theft.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:thief
2. One who steals another person's property, especially by stealth and without using force or violence.
3. (obsolete) A waster in the snuff of a candle.
   • 1640, Joseph Hall, Divine Light

     But hear you , my Worthy Brethren : do not you , where you see a thief in the candle , call presently for an extinguisher

Hypernyms

• (one who carries out a theft): See Thesaurus:criminal

Hyponyms

Derived terms

Related terms

• thieve

Translations

Anagrams

• feith, theif

English

Etymology

From curb +? -er.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?k??b?/

Noun

curber (plural curbers)

1. Someone or something which curbs.
   • 1902, William James, The Varieties of Religious Experience, Folio Society 2008, p. 282:

     they required him as a safeguard against the demon and a curber of other people's crimes.

2. (historical slang) A type of thief who used a ‘curb’ or hooked pole to steal things through open windows.
   • 1977, Gãmini Salgãdo, The Elizabethan Underworld, Folio Society 2006, p. 33:

     Night was the natural time for the curber’s activities and striking up an acquaitance with a serving maid was an invaluable way of getting a window left open or learning the exact layout of the rooms in the house.