klepto

1 of 2

noun

klep·to ˈklep-(ˌ)tō

plural kleptos

Synonyms of klepto next

: kleptomaniac

klepto-

2 of 2

Examples of klepto in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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Noun

America doesn't need your klepto-crude. —

Peter Weber, The Week, 9 Mar. 2022 What could be worse than the klepto-managers of Wall Street? —

Scott Burns, Dallas News, 23 June 2020 The first trilogy borrowed greedily from Flash Gordon and Japanese samurai movies, and set a precedent for future klepto-cinema. —

Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, 20 Dec. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Combining form

borrowed from Late Greek, combining form from Greek kléptēs "thief," kléptein "to steal," from a base klep-, going back to an Indo-European verb *klep- "steal, conceal," whence also Gothic hlifan "to steal," Latin clepere, Tocharian B kälyp- "steal"

Note: If Tocharian B klep- "touch with the fingers, investigate," kälp- "get, obtain" pertain, the original meaning of the Indo-European etymon was broader.

First Known Use

Noun

1953, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of klepto was in 1953

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Klepto.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/klepto. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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klepto

noun

combining form

Examples of klepto in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near klepto

Cite this Entry