- kleptomania
- 1830, formed from Gk. kleptes "thief" (from kleptein "to steal, act secretly" from PIE base *klep- "to steal," extention of base *kel- "to cover, conceal;" cf. L. clepere "to steal, listen secretly to," O.Pruss. au-klipts "hidden," O.C.S. poklopu "cover, wrapping," Goth. hlifan "to steal," hliftus "thief") + mania "madness." Shortened form klepto for kleptomaniac is attested from 1958. Kleptocracy "rule by a class of thieves" is first attested 1819, in ref. to Spain.