arson

[ ahr-suh n ]
/ ˈɑr sən /

noun

Law. the malicious burning of another's house or property, or in some statutes, the burning of one's own house or property, as to collect insurance.

Origin of arson

1670–80; < Anglo-French, Old French < Late Latin ārsiōn- (stem of ārsiō) a burning, equivalent to ārs- (Latin ārd(ere) to burn (cf. ardent) + -t(us) past participle suffix) + -iōn- -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM arson

ar·son·ous, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH arson

arsenous arsonous

Example sentences from the Web for arson

British Dictionary definitions for arson

arson
/ (ˈɑːsən) /

noun

criminal law the act of intentionally or recklessly setting fire to another's property or to one's own property for some improper reason

Derived forms of arson

arsonist, noun

Word Origin for arson

C17: from Old French, from Medieval Latin ārsiō, from Latin ārdēre to burn; see ardent