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Glite Dictionary
sheepstealer

sheepstealer

9.9
A person who takes sheep illegally to keep or sell them
  • noun
  • /ˈʃiːpˌstiːlər/
  • Archaic
translation icon : ladrón de ovejas
  • The villagers suspected that a sheepstealer was responsible for the missing animals.

Examples

  • Many sheepstealers were feared in the olden days.

  • In the 18th century, a sheepstealer could face severe punishment if caught.

  • Stories about the notorious sheepstealer were told around the fireplace each winter.

  • The local farmer caught a sheepstealer last night.

  • The old farmer warned that the nearby hills are home to a notorious sheepstealer who preys on unsuspecting flocks.

  • In the tale, the village caught a sheepstealer who was stealing from the pastures at night.

  • Many farmers banded together to watch for the sheepstealer who had been raiding their properties.

Synonyms

rustler
vssheepstealer
  • US
13 8.7

A person who steals cattle by moving them away from farms or ranches

is focused on stealing a specific wool-producing animal, not moving herds
stealer
vssheepstealer
4 4.6

A person who takes things that belong to others without permission

refers specifically to taking a particular farm animal in rural or historic situations
cattle thief
vssheepstealer
2 6.7

A person who steals cows or other farm animals

is specific to stealing a smaller wool-producing farm animal in rural contexts
sneak thief
vssheepstealer
2 7.6

A person who secretly steals things without using force

is limited to stealing a farm animal rather than general property theft
sheep-biter
vssheepstealer
  • Offensive
1 9.9

A person who steals sheep and tricks other people

is a neutral historical word for stealing a wool-producing farm animal
purloiner
vssheepstealer
9.6

A person who steals things secretly

is about taking a particular farm animal in rural or historical contexts

Surface Forms

sheepstealer singular
sheepstealers plural

Morphology

sheepstealer = sheep + stealer (transparent) = sheep + steal + er

The compound is a straightforward combination of 'sheep' and 'stealer' yielding 'a person who steals sheep', which is directly inferable.

Etymology

The word sheepstealer is made from sheep and steal, meaning 'to take secretly', so it literally means a person who takes sheep. Imagine a thief sneaking into a field at night to take animals, which is why the word means someone who steals sheep.