Cleptomaniac
/ˌklɛptəˈmeɪniˌæk/noun
A person who has a recurrent urge to steal, especially for reasons not driven by financial need.
Did you know?The word was coined in the early 19th century from Greek roots meaning “to steal” and “madness,” turning a criminal impulse into a medicalized condition.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Gk
κλέπτειν (kleptein)
“to steal”
Ancient Greek
Gk
μανία (mania)
“madness, frenzy”
19th Century
French
kleptomanie
“a compulsive urge to steal”
19th Century
English
kleptomaniac
“a person afflicted with kleptomania”
Modern English
English
cleptomaniac
“a person with a compulsive urge to steal”
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