Burglar definition

bûrglər

Words form:

Frequency:

A person who commits burglary.

noun

The definition of a burglar is a person who enters a building or dwelling with the intent to steal something from inside.

A person who breaks into a house to steal a TV is an example of a burglar.

noun

An individual who commits burglary.

noun

A thief who steals from premises.

The burglar made off with a large diamond from the museum.

noun

One who commits burglary.

noun

Other Word Forms

Singular:

burglar

Plural:

burglars

Anglo-Norman burgler (alteration of burgesur) (probably from Old French burg borough) Medieval Latin burgulātor (alteration of burgātor) (from burgāre to commit burglary in) (from Late Latin burgus fortified town) both of Germanic origin bhergh-² in Indo-European roots

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Middle English, shortened from Middle English burgulator, from Medieval Latin (Anglo-Latin) burglātor, from Old French burgeor (“burglar”), from Medieval Latin burgātor (“burglar”), from burgāre (“to commit burglary”), from Late Latin burgus (“fortified town”), probably from Frankish *burg (“fortress”), from Proto-Germanic *burgz, *burgiją (“borough, watch-tower”), from Proto-Indo-European *bhergh2- (“high, heights”). The -l- may have been inserted under influence from Latin latro (“thief”).

From Wiktionary