PLA'GIARY, noun [Latin plagium, a kidnapping, probably from plagoe, nets, toils, that which is layed or spread, from the root of Eng. lay. The Latin plaga, a stroke, is the same word differently applied, a laying on.] 1. A thief in literature; one that purloins another's writings and offers them to the public as his own. 2. The crime of literary theft. [Not used.] PLA'GIARY, adjective Stealing men; kidnapping. [Not used.] 1. Practicing literary theft.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI