Lift, subs. (old).—1. A thief. Also lifter.
1592. Greene, Quip, in Works, xi. 243. A receiver for lifts, and a
dishonorable supporter of cut purses.
1600. Sir John Oldcastle, ii. 2. I’se poor Irishman; I’se a
leafter.
1602. Shakspeare, Troilus and Cressida, i. 2. Is he so young a man
and so old a lifter.
1608. Dekker, Belman of London, in Works (Grosart), iii. 146. He
that first stealeth the parcell is called the lift.
1608. Penniless Parliament, in Harl. Misc. (ed. Park), i. 182. To
the great impoverishing of all nimmers, lifters, and cut-purses.
1669. Nicker Nicked, in Harl. Misc. (Park), ii. 108, s.v.
1781. G. Parker, View of Society, ii. 138, s.v.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.