Steal \Steal\, n. [See Stale a handle.]

A handle; a stale, or stele. [Archaic or Prov. Eng.]

And in his hand a huge poleax did bear. Whose steale was iron-studded but not long. --Spenser.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Steal \Steal\, v. t. [imp. Stole; p. p. Stolen; p. pr. & vb. n. Stealing.]

[OE. stelen, AS. stelan; akin to OFries. stela, D. stelen, OHG. stelan, G. stehlen, Icel. stela, SW. stj["a]la, Dan. sti[ae]le, Goth. stilan.]

1. To take and carry away, feloniously; to take without right or leave, and with intent to keep wrongfully; as, to steal the personal goods of another.

Maugre thy heed, thou must for indigence Or steal, or borrow, thy dispense. --Chaucer.

The man who stole a goose and gave away the giblets in ?lms. --G. Eliot.

2. To withdraw or convey clandestinely (reflexive); hence, to creep furtively, or to insinuate.

They could insinuate and steal themselves under the same by their humble carriage and submission. --Spenser.

He will steal himself into a man's favor. --Shak.

3. To gain by insinuating arts or covert means.

So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. --2 Sam. xv. 6.

4. To get into one's power gradually and by imperceptible degrees; to take possession of by a gradual and imperceptible appropriation; -- with away.

Variety of objects has a tendency to steal away the mind from its steady pursuit of any subject. --I. Watts.

5. To accomplish in a concealed or unobserved manner; to try to carry out secretly; as, to steal a look.

Always, when thou changest thine opinion or course, profess it plainly, . . . and do not think to steal it. --Bacon.

To steal a march, to march in a covert way; to gain an advantage unobserved; -- formerly followed by of, but now by on or upon, and sometimes by over; as, to steal a march upon one's political rivals.

She yesterday wanted to steal a march of poor Liddy. --Smollett.

Fifty thousand men can not easily steal a march over the sea. --Walpole.

Syn: To filch; pilfer; purloin; thieve.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Steal \Steal\, v. i.

1. To practice, or be guilty of, theft; to commit larceny or theft.

Thou shalt not steal. --Ex. xx. 15.

2. To withdraw, or pass privily; to slip in, along, or away, unperceived; to go or come furtively. --Chaucer.

Fixed of mind to avoid further entreaty, and to fly all company, one night she stole away. --Sir P. Sidney.

From whom you now must steal, and take no leave. --Shak.

A soft and solemn breathing sound Rose like a steam of rich, distilled perfumes, And stole upon the air. --Milton.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Stale \Stale\, n. [OE. stale, stele, AS. st[ae]l, stel; akin to LG. & D. steel, G. stiel; cf. L. stilus stake, stalk, stem, Gr. ? a handle, and E. stall, stalk, n.]

The stock or handle of anything; as, the stale of a rake. [Written also steal, stele, etc.]

But seeling the arrow's stale without, and that the head did go No further than it might be seen. --Chapman.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)