adj. (colloquial).—Dextrous in stealing; given to thieving.

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  1560.  Nice Wanton [DODSLEY, Old Plays, 1874, ii. 167].

                            I must say more,
Your son is suspect LIGHT-FINGERED to be.

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  1592.  GREENE, Defence of Conny-catching [GROSART (1881–6), ii. 97]. A … Taylor, famous for his art, but noted for his filchinge, which although he was LIGHT-FINGERD, yet … he was much sought.

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  1607–9.  DAMPIER, Voyages, ii. 1. 14. The Tonguinese being very LIGHT-FINGERED.

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  d. 1655.  T. ADAMS, The Fatal Banket, in Works, i. 170. Is any tradesman LIGHT-FINGERED, and lighter conscienced? Here [Stolen waters are sweet] is a whole feast of Fraudes, a table furnished with Trickes, conveyances, glossing, perjuries, cheatinges.

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  c. 1696.  B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v.

6

  1785.  GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. LIGHT-FINGERED, thievish, apt to pilfer.

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  c. 1868–9.  W. S. GILBERT, The Bohemian Girl. And yet I’ve heard you called LIGHT-FINGERED gentry.

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