steal-v; 4 Senses

Sense Number 1: take possession without consent or right

Commentary: Syntax is: NP1 STEAL (NP2)
NOTE: Please compare this sense carefully with sense 2, before proceeding.

Examples:
Someone stole my wallet on the train.
The number of cars which are stolen every year has risen.
They were so poor they had to steal in order to eat.
This author stole entire paragraphs from my dissertation.
It destroys its victim's memory and steals the ability to communicate.
This picture steals my heart everytime.

Mappings:
VerbNet: get-13.5.1-1,steal-10.5-1
FrameNet: Theft
PropBank: steal.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 2: do or achieve something surreptitiously or stealthily

Commentary: Syntax includes: NP1 STEAL NP2 NP1 STEAL AWAY/OUT PP
NOTE: In this sense, STEAL usually is accompanied by a nominalized verb (verb-made-noun). Also note that the NP2 (what is stolen) cannot come into existence before the action of stealing (as opposed to things like wallets, hearts, or memories that exist even before the actual act of stealing).
NOTE: The last two examples in this set specifically means "to move or carry stealthily".

Examples:
I leaned close and stole a kiss.
She stole a glance at her watch.
I stole a bite off the one burger, before giving him all the rest of it.
If everyone stole a ride, there would be no more public transportation.
He stole out of the room while noone was looking.
During the night, she stole away from the hateful place.

Mappings:
VerbNet: appear-48.1.1
FrameNet: Self_motion
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2
WordNet Verb Particle Constructions, Multiword Expressions:
steal_away 1

Sense Number 3: draw attention or have successful performance; outdo or win

Commentary:
NOTE: It seems that this form of STEAL usually surfaces with the word 'show'.

Examples:
He stole the show with his offbeat puns and no fear analogies.
The child with the dog stole the show.
He stole the show away from Paul Walker for sure.
Yanks steal finale from Braves.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: NM

Sense Number 4: BASEBALL-gain base without hit

Examples:
He might be the last person in baseball you'd expect to steal a base.
Ty Cobb stole second base, third base, and home plate during the same inning.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 3