a strong impulse to steal, esp when there is no obvious motivation
Derived forms
kleptomaniac (ˌkleptoˈmaniˌac)
noun
Word origin
C19: klepto- from Greek kleptēs thief, from kleptein to steal + -mania
klepto in American English
(ˈkleptou)
nounWord forms: plural-tos
slang
kleptomaniac
Word origin
[1955–60; by shortening]This word is first recorded in the period 1955–60. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: backgrounder, cassette, geodesic dome, opioid, software