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larceny. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
larceny, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
larceny in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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English
Etymology
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, “pay, hire”).[1]
Pronunciation
Noun
larceny (countable and uncountable, plural larcenies)
- (law, uncountable) The unlawful taking of personal property as an attempt to deprive the legal owner of it permanently.
- Synonyms: theft, robbery
1966 March, Thomas Pynchon, chapter 3, in The Crying of Lot 49, New York, N.Y.: Bantam Books, published November 1976, →ISBN, page 37:“Why are you walking around,” inquired Oedipa, “with your eyes closed, Metzger?” “Larceny,” Metzger said, “maybe they'll need a lawyer.”
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.
- (law, countable) An individual instance of such a taking.
That young man already has four assaults, a DUI, and a larceny on his record.
Derived terms
Translations
law: unlawful taking of personal property
References
Anagrams