ETYMOLOGY
alteration (influenced by -uous) of Middle English thiftwis,
from thifte (theft) + wis (wise)
PRONUNCIATION
THEFF-tyoo-uhss
EXAMPLE
“…It is declared, that whosoever intercommuns with Thieves, or assists them in their theftous stealings, or deeds, either in going, or coming, or gives them meat, harbour, or assistance, or trysts with them any manner of way, they shall be pursued, either Civilly, or Criminally; but this act strikes not against such as have entertained the Thief any considerable time, after the committing of the Theft, and before Letters of Intercommuning were execute…”
From: The Laws and Customes of Scotland
By Sir George Mackenzie, 1678
Lexicophilia 