larceny

Coined in Middle English between 1425 and 1475 from Anglo-Norman larcin (“theft”), from Latin latrocinium (“robbery”), from latro (“robber, mercenary”), from Ancient Greek λάτρον (látron, “pay, hire”)[1]

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈlɑː.sən.i/, /ˈlɑː.sɪ.ni/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈlɑɹ.sə.ni/

larceny (countable and uncountable, plural larcenies)

1. (law) The unlawful taking of personal property as an attempt to deprive the legal owner of it permanently.

   Synonyms: theft, robbery

   • 1986, John le Carré, A Perfect Spy:

     He was prudent enough not to admit he was earning money, which went down well with you, for you knew already he was working “black,” as the Germans call it — meaning illegally, and at night. Shrewd chap, you thought; resourceful; not above a bit of larceny.

2. (law) A larcenous act attributable to an individual.

   That young man already has four assaults, a DUI, and a larceny on his record.

• compound larceny
• grand larceny
• petit larceny, petty larceny
• simple larceny

• larcenous
• larcenist

• Carnley