pickpocket

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a thief who secretly steals from people's pockets or bags in public places

   A pickpocket took his wallet while he was boarding the crowded train.

2. 2
   verb

   to steal something secretly from a person's pocket or bag

   She realized that someone had pickpocketed her in the market.

Formed from pick in the older sense "steal or take dexterously" + pocket. The compound first named the thief and later also developed a verb for the act.

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