theftbote

noun

theft·​bote

ˈtheftˌbōt

plural -s

old English & Scots law

: the offense of agreeing to receive stolen goods or a compensation from a thief whether by the owner by way of composition or by a judge as an inducement for conniving at the escape of the thief from punishment

Word History

Etymology

alteration of thefbote, from Middle English, from thef thief + bote compensation (help)

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