stole

Etymology 1

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

verb

1. simple past of steal
2. (now colloquial or archaic) past participle of steal
   […]when indeed they have ſeen nothing, but have ſtole the word of the Lord from others, and borrowed from their neighbour[…] 1654, John Webſter, The Judgement Set, and the Bookes Opened, and All Religion brought to Triall[…], page 149
   And glory pointed still the goal / THat fired his lay; / But now revolving time has stole / Those dreams away. 1834, Alexander Smart, Rambling Rhymes, page 151
   […]He must have stole my gear after he ran off, licking his wounds." Clint spoke loudly and proudly and drew some applause. 19 November 2014, Domino Finn, The Blood of Brothers (Sycamore Moon; 2), Blood & Treasure, page 146

Etymology 2

From Old English stole, from Latin stola, from Ancient Greek στολή (stolḗ, “stole, garment, equipment”); akin to stall. Doublet of stola.

noun

1. A garment consisting of a decorated band worn on the back of the neck, each end hanging over the chest, worn in ecclesiastical settings or sometimes as a part of graduation dress.
   1994-1998, Encyclopaedia Britannica CD 98, Multimedia Edition Certain robes indicate a position in the hierarchy; others correspond to function and may be worn by the same individual at different times. The most important vestment among the insignia [of the clergy] is the stole, the emblem of sacerdotal status, the origin of which is the ancient pallium. The stole originally was a draped garment, then a folded one with the appearance of a scarf, and, finally, in the 4th century, a scarf. As a symbol of jurisdictionin the Roman Empire, the supreme pontiff (the pope, or bishop of Rome) conferred it upon archbishops and, later, upon bishops, as emblematic of their sharing in the papal authority.
   With sou'-wester under arm, and oilskin open so that God might see the stole and know that there was no deception, he chanted from a prayer-book in a tone exactly like that of a blackfellow devil-dovvening: […] 1938, Xavier Herbert, chapter X, in Capricornia, page 167
2. A scarf-like garment, often made of fur.

Etymology 3

From Latin stolō. Doublet of stolon.

noun

1. (botany) A stolon.