Emily Dickinson Lexicon

STEAL, v.t. [pret. stole; pp. stolen, stole. Sax. stælan, stelan; G. stehlen; D. steelen; Dan. stieler; Sw. stiäla; Ir. tiallam; probably from the root of L. tollo, to take, to lift.]

1. To take and carry away feloniously, as the personal goods of another. To constitute stealing or theft, the taking must be felonious, that is, with an intent to take what belongs to another, and without his consent. – Blackstone. Let him that stole, steal no more. – Eph. iv.
2. To withdraw or convey without notice or clandestinely. They could insinuate and steal themselves under the same by submission. – Spenser.
3. To gain or win by address or gradual and imperceptible means. Variety of objects has a tendency to steal away the mind from its steady pursuit of any subject. – Watts. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. – 2 Sam. xv.