water-thief

English

Etymology 1

From water +‎ thief.

Noun

water-thief (plural water-thieves)

1. (rare, archaic) A thief or robber on the water, hence, a pirate.

Etymology 2

Calque of Ancient Greek κλεψύδρα (klepsúdra, “pipette”, literally “water-thief”), equivalent to water +‎ thief.

Alternative forms

• waterthief

Noun

water-thief (plural water-thieves)

1. A valve with multiple connections that permits bleeding a large line through several subordinate lines.