Header image of wall of bricks Open menu Close menu

klepto-

Thieving.

Greek kleptēs, thief.

Kleptomania is a recurrent urge to steal, typically without regard for need or profit; a kleptoparasite is an animal which habitually steals food from animals of other species; a kleptocracy (Greek ‑kratia, power, rule) is literally government by thieves, one in which those in power exploit national resources to personal profit.

Copyright © Michael Quinion 2008–. All rights reserved. Your comments are very welcome.