n. an impulse-control disorder characterized by a repeated failure to resist impulses to steal objects that have no immediate use or intrinsic value to the individual, accompanied by feelings of increased tension before committing the theft and either pleasure or relief during the act. The stealing is not done out of anger or in response to a delusion or hallucination and is not better accounted for by another disorder, such as conduct disorder or a manic episode. Also called compulsive stealing. —kleptomaniacn.