Burglar is a term that refers to a person who enters a building or property illegally with the intention of committing a crime, often theft. The term is commonly used in legal contexts and has a negative connotation associated with it.
Definitions
According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, a burglar is “one who commits burglary.” Burglary is defined as “the act of breaking and entering a dwelling or building with intent to commit a felony.”
Origin
The word burglar comes from the Old English word “burh,” meaning “fortress” or “town,” and “laron,” meaning “thief.” The term was first recorded in the 16th century and has been used ever since.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The Oxford English Dictionary defines a burglar as “a person who enters a building illegally with intent to commit a crime, especially theft.” The Cambridge English Dictionary defines a burglar as “a person who enters a building illegally with the intention of stealing.”
Associations
The term burglar is often associated with crime, theft, and illegal activities. It is also associated with fear, as many people are afraid of being burglarized or having their property stolen.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for burglar include thief, robber, intruder, and prowler.
Antonyms
Antonyms for burglar include law-abiding citizen, honest person, and upstanding citizen.
The same root words
Words with the same root as burglar include burglary, burglarize, and burglarious.
Example Sentences
- The burglar was caught red-handed by the police.
- I installed a security system to protect my home from burglars.
- The burglar stole all of my valuable possessions.
- The police are still searching for the burglar who robbed the convenience store.
- The homeowner was able to scare off the burglar with a loud alarm.