burglar
n. countablen. a person who breaks into a house or building to steal things. You use this word when someone enters a place secretly to take property.
n. a person who enters a building unlawfully with the intent to commit theft, typically by breaking in at night.
A burglar stole the silver from the kitchen.
The burglar climbed through the open window while the family slept upstairs.
The burglar moved silently through the darkened hallway, careful not to trigger the motion sensors installed by the homeowners.
16th century, from Medieval Latin burglātor, British byform of burgātor (“burglar”), derived from burgō (“to commit burglary”), from Late Latin burgus (“fortified town”), itself probably from Frankish burg (“fortress”), from Proto-Germanic burgz, *burgiją (“borough, watch-tower”). The -l- in burglātor may have been inserted under influence from Latin latro (“thief”). The shortened English form may have arisen through confluence with Old French burgeor (“burglar”), itself from the same Latin source.