larceny

[ lahr-suh-nee ]
/ ˈlɑr sə ni /
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noun, plural lar·ce·nies. Law.

the wrongful taking and carrying away of the personal goods of another from his or her possession with intent to convert them to the taker's own use.
Compare grand larceny, petty larceny.

Origin of larceny

1425–75; late Middle English < Anglo-French larcin theft (< Latin latrōcinium robbery, equivalent to latrōcin(ārī) to rob, orig. serve as mercenary soldier (derivative of latrō hired soldier, robber) + -ium -ium) + -y3

Words nearby larceny

lararium, larboard, larc, larcener, larcenous, larceny, larch, larch river, larch sawfly, lard, lard oil

Words related to larceny

burglary, misappropriation, robbery, thieving, pinch, thievery, crime, lift, stealing, touch, steal, pilfering

Example sentences from the Web for larceny

British Dictionary definitions for larceny

larceny
/ (ˈlɑːsɪnɪ) /

noun plural -nies

law (formerly) a technical word for theft

Derived forms of larceny

larcenist or larcener, noun larcenous, adjective larcenously, adverb

Word Origin for larceny

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

Cultural definitions for larceny

larceny
[ (lahr-suh-nee) ]

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