steal |stēl|verb ( past stole |stōl|; past participle stolen |ˈstōlən| )
1 [ with obj. ] take (another person's property) without permission or legal right and without intending to return it: thieves stole her bicycle | [ no obj. ] : she was found guilty of stealing from her employers | (as adj. stolen) : stolen goods.
• dishonestly pass off (another person's ideas) as one's own: accusations that one group had stolen ideas from the other were soon flying.
• take the opportunity to give or share (a kiss) when it is not expected or when people are not watching: he was allowed to steal a kiss in the darkness.
• (in various sports) gain (an advantage, a run, or possession of the ball) unexpectedly or by exploiting the temporary distraction of an opponent.
• Baseball (of a base runner) advance safely to (the next base) by running to it as the pitcher begins the delivery: Rickey stole third base.
2 [ no obj. ] move somewhere quietly or surreptitiously: he stole down to the kitchen | figurative : a delicious languor was stealing over her.
• [ with obj. ] direct (a look) quickly and unobtrusively: he stole a furtive glance at her.
