Meanings
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1
adj
inclined or given to stealing
The merchant kept a close watch on the thievish servant.
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2
adj
resembling a thief in being furtive, stealthy, or underhanded
He cast a thievish glance toward the unattended purse.
Thesaurus
Etymology
From Middle English thevysch, formed from thief + -ish. Cognates in Dutch and German similarly describe either a tendency to steal or behavior resembling a thief's stealth.