housebreaker

plural housebreakers

1. A criminal who breaks into and enters another's house or premises with the intent of committing a crime.

   [H]e is dressed in such a rapscallion manner that the people would think you were talking to a house-breaker.

   1869 May, Anthony Trollope, “Miss Stanbury’s Generosity”, in He Knew He Was Right, volume I, London: Strahan and Company, […], →OCLC, page 93

   3 more examples

   […] here were no Gibers, Cenſurers, Backbiters, Pick-pockets, Highwaymen, Houſebreakers, Attorneys, Bawds, Buffoons, Gameſters, Politicians, Wits, ſplenetick tedious Talkers, Controvertiſts, Raviſhers, Murderers, Robbers, Virtuoſo's; […]

   1726 October 28, [Jonathan Swift], “The Author’s Oeconomy and Happy Life among the Houyhnhnms. […]”, in Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. […] [Gulliver’s Travels], volume II, London: […] Benj[amin] Motte, […], →OCLC, part IV (A Voyage to the Houyhnhnms), page 301

   The vicar seized a sword and routed the housebreaker, but it was the vicar's wife in a nightgown and coat who caught up with the fleeing intruder, slapped his face and held him by the neck.

   1968 November 19, “‘Infuriated’ vicar's wife routs interloper”, in Montreal Gazette, Canada, retrieved 21 Sep 2010, page 9

   A serial housebreaker who is believed to have stolen from several homes in Ang Mo Kio last month was nabbed on Tuesday.

   2009 May 20, “Serial housebreaker nabbed”, in AsiaOne, Singapore, retrieved 21 Sep 2010

   Synonyms: drummer