pilferage
UK: ˈpɪlfərɪdʒ | US: ˈpɪlfərɪdʒ
n. the act of stealing small quantities or items of little value, especially in a sneaky or gradual manner.
pilferage = pilfer<to steal stealthily> + age<noun suffix indicating action or result>
- pilfer: From Middle French pelfrer ("to loot"), possibly derived from pelfre ("booty, stolen goods"). The term implies petty theft or stealing in small amounts.
- age: A suffix of Latin origin (-aticum) via Old French, used to form nouns denoting action, process, or result (e.g., "marriage," "breakage").
Etymology Origin:
The word pilferage combines pilfer, with its connotation of furtive theft, and the suffix -age, which frames the act as a repeated or systematic behavior. Historically, pilfer emerged in English during the 16th century, linked to petty theft in domestic or workplace settings. The suffix -age (via French) formalizes the action, giving it a collective or institutional nuance—often used in contexts like shipping or retail to describe losses due to minor thefts.
The store installed cameras to reduce pilferage of small merchandise.
Pilferage in the warehouse accounted for 5% of annual losses.
Employees were warned about dismissal for repeated pilferage.
The audit revealed significant pilferage of office supplies.
Historical records show pilferage was common among sailors transporting spices.