Pilferable

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Able to be stolen or taken without permission
2. Susceptible to theft or unauthorized removal
3. Likely to be stolen due to ease of access or lack of security

Etymology: "Pilferable" is a straightforward formation: the verb "pilfer" with the suffix "-able," meaning "capable of being" or "fit for." Adding it to a verb yields an adjective describing something that can be pilfered, that is, taken in small, quiet thefts. The more interesting history lies in "pilfer" itself, which has a surprisingly tangled past. It is thought to derive from Old French "pelfre," meaning plunder or booty, a word whose ultimate origin is uncertain. Over time, the sense narrowed from grand plunder to petty stealing of small items, which is why "pilfer" now suggests a sneaky nibble from the cookie jar rather than a raid on a castle.

Synonyms: stealable, thievable, robable, looteable, appropriable

Antonyms: secure, protected, safe, guarded, unstealable