larceny etymology

Etymology:

  • Middle English: larcenye
  • Old French: larrecin
  • Late Latin: latrocinium ("robbery")
  • Latin: latro ("robber, pirate")

Meaning:

Larceny is a legal term referring to the unlawful taking and carrying away of personal property with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of its possession.

Origin:

The word "larceny" originates from the Latin word "latro," which originally meant "robber" or "pirate." Over time, the meaning of "latro" expanded to include the illegal taking of property. The suffix "-cy" denotes an action or state, so "larceny" came to describe the act of theft.

In legal contexts, larceny is typically divided into several categories based on the value of the stolen property and the means by which it was taken. The most common types of larceny include:

  • Simple larceny: Stealing property of a value below a specified threshold.
  • Grand larceny: Stealing property of a value above a specified threshold.
  • Petty larceny: A less serious form of larceny, typically involving the theft of minor items.
  • Burglary: Stealing property from a building or structure by entering unlawfully.
  • Robbery: Stealing property from a person's immediate possession, using force or fear.

Larceny is a crime punishable by law, and the penalties can vary depending on the severity of the offense.

larceny relate terms

  • burglar

    Etymology The word burglar is derived from the Middle English word burglere which i

  • borough

    Etymology The word borough comes from the Old English word burh which originally me

  • larceny

    Etymology Middle English larcenye Old French larrecin Late Latin latrocinium robbe

  • larcenist

    Etymology Latin latro thief robber French larron thief Meaning and Origin

  • larceny

    Etymology Middle English larcenye Old French larrecin Late Latin latrocinium robbe

  • celery

    Etymology Late Middle English celeri from Old French celer from Latin celer swift

  • embezzlement

    Etymology embezzle 1590s from Middle French embezzler to steal Middle French embe

  • felony

    Etymology Middle English felonie from Old French felonie Old French from Latin fell

  • petty

    Etymology The word petty comes from the Late Latin word pettifogger which was a term

  • defalcation

    Etymology Late Latin defalcatio a cutting off subtraction Medieval Latin defalcare

  • repent

    Etymology From Middle English repenten from Late Latin repentīre to regret repent

  • shower

    Etymology The word shower has multiple etymological origins Old English scur mea

  • fast

    Etymology Fast derives from the Middle English word faste which means to refrain from