larceny

[ lahr-suh-nee ]

noun

, Law.

, plural lar·ce·nies.

1. the wrongful taking of someone's property or goods, removing them from their owner's posession with intent to convert them to the taker's own use.

larceny

/ ˈlɑːsɪnɪ /

noun

1. law (formerly) a technical word for theft

larceny

1. Theft; taking another person's property with the intent of permanently depriving the owner.

Derived Forms

• ˈlarcenist, noun
• ˈlarcenously, adverb
• ˈlarcenous, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of larceny¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English larceni, from Anglo-French larcin “theft,” from Latin latrōcinium “robbery” (equivalent to latrōcin(ārī) “to rob,” originally “serve as mercenary soldier” (derivative of latrō “hired soldier, robber”) + -ium -ium ) + -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of larceny¹

C15: from Old French larcin, from Latin lātrocinium robbery, from latrō robber

Example Sentences

Studies by the Public Policy Institute of California have questioned whether Proposition 47 is to blame for increases in crimes such as larceny and commercial burglary, also pointing to low solve rates by police.

From Los Angeles Times

It was lunacy, attempted larceny, an attack on democracy.

From Los Angeles Times

One critic noted that "when Maggie Smith is on the screen, the picture moves," and Burton afterwards teasingly described her upstaging of him as "grand larceny."

From BBC

Routh pleaded guilty to felony larceny in the late 1990s and faced a felony charge in 2010 for possessing stolen goods, according to court records reviewed by The Times.

From Los Angeles Times

Often, the charge is coupled with more serious felonies such as grand larceny.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• burglary
• misappropriation
• robbery