2026

Larceny

//ˈlɑɹ.sə.ni//

Definitions

1
The unlawful taking of personal property as an attempt to deprive the legal owner of it permanently.
“Why are you walking around,” inquired Oedipa, “with your eyes closed, Metzger?” “Larceny,” Metzger said, “maybe they'll need a lawyer.”
Similar
theft robbery
2
An individual instance of such a taking.
That young man already has four assaults, a DUI, and a larceny on his record.

Word Origin

Coined in Middle English (as larceni) between 1425 and 1475 from Anglo-Norman larcin (“theft”), from Latin latrocinium (“robbery”), from latro (“robber, mercenary”), from Ancient Greek λάτρον (látron,...

Explore more words in the dictionaryWord of the Day

Translations

Select a language to see translations