thief

noun3

1. •
   a person who steals from others, usually in secret and without violence

   • Take heed to false harlots, and more, ye wot what. / If noise ye heare, / Looke all be cleare: / Least drabs doe noie thee, / And theeues destroie thee. — 1878
2. •
   One who carries out a theft.

   • water-thieves and land-thieves — 1596
3. •
   (no longer used) A waster in the snuff of a candle.

   • But hear you, my Worthy Brethren: do not you, where you see a thief in the candle, call presently for an extinguisher[…] — 1640