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larceny

larceny

45 7.2
Stealing something that belongs to someone else to keep it
  • noun
  • /ˈlɑːrsəni/
  • Formal
translation icon : hurto
  • In 1871, Tweed was indicted on charges of fraud and grand larceny.
  • theft and larceny
  • grand larceny
  • attempted larceny

And so even distributing leaflets was a capital crime in Louisiana, as well as all sorts of other crimes like burglary, larceny, robbery.

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Examples

  • You are being held for trial for a charge of grand larceny.

  • We'll have this kid arrested for larceny.

  • The only problem is, when and if I do find Nancy, looks like she might be facing some petty larceny charges.

  • The penalties provided by the Uniform Code of Military Justice are quite clear when it comes to the case of larceny.

  • The state decided not to pursue charges against Jennings for assault, larceny, and a hate crime.

    Blog text (27)
  • Boston police responded to a report of a larceny in progress at 119 Newbury Street.

    Blog text (7)
  • A frustrated Sam turned to petty larceny, while his more impressionable brother fell in with a fringe cult called "The Brotherhood of Friends."

  • The store owner reported the incident as larceny after discovering missing merchandise.

  • After the investigation, he was found guilty of larceny for stealing his neighbor's bicycle.

  • Her conviction for larceny resulted in a heavy fine and restitution to the victim.

Synonyms

theft
vslarceny
356 1.1

An act of taking someone else's property without permission to keep it

is the legal label stressing intent to permanently deprive owner
looting
vslarceny
72 4.9

Stealing things from shops, often during a riot or disaster

is the standard legal idea stressing intent to permanently deprive owners
embezzlement
vslarceny
27 7.0

Taking money or goods that someone gave you to look after and using them for yourself

is defined more widely as unlawful taking with permanent deprival intent
grand theft
vslarceny
  • Formal
20 6.8

Taking valuable things without permission that are worth a lot of money

is the legal concept that centers on intent to permanently deprive
thieving
vslarceny
20 3.7

The act of taking things from other people without permission

focuses on the crime element and intent to permanently deprive
thievery
vslarceny
14 5.6

The act of taking things that belong to other people without permission

highlights the formal legal requirement of permanent deprivation intent
grand larceny
vslarceny
  • Formal
8 7.9

Stealing things worth more than a set amount counts as a serious crime

is the broader legal term defined by permanent deprivation intent
stealing
vslarceny
5 1.0

Taking something that belongs to another person without permission

stresses the criminal intent to permanently deprive the owner
petty larceny
vslarceny
  • Formal
3 6.9

Taking something worth less than a set amount, for example a small item from a shop

focuses on the legal element of permanently depriving the owner
plundering
vslarceny
2 6.0

The act of taking valuable things by force, often during war

is the legal theft concept used in ordinary contexts, not wartime only
pilferage
vslarceny
1 7.5

Stealing small items from a store or workplace, often done repeatedly

is a formal crime term that emphasizes permanent deprivation intent
petit larceny
vslarceny
  • Formal
8.2

A crime of stealing small items worth little money

is the same crime type but defined by victim loss and intent
plunderage
vslarceny
9.9

An act of stealing goods, often the cargo from a ship

is the general criminal term not limited to maritime cargo theft
spoilation
vslarceny
  • Archaic
9.9

Taking things by force from a place, often during war

is the legal theft notion focusing on unlawful taking and intent

Antonyms

231 1.0

An act of giving something back to its owner

Compounds

grand larceny
  • Formal
8 7.9

Stealing things worth more than a set amount counts as a serious crime

petty larceny
  • Formal
3 6.9

Taking something worth less than a set amount, for example a small item from a shop

petit larceny
  • Formal
8.2

A crime of stealing small items worth little money

How Serious

armed robbery
  • NSFW
78 3.2
grand larceny
  • Formal
8 7.9
embezzlement
27 7.0
larceny
  • Formal
45 7.2
shoplifting
43 2.5
petty larceny
  • Formal
3 6.9

Surface Forms

larceny singular
larcenies plural

Etymology

Larceny comes from an old French word larcin meaning 'theft' and from the Latin latrocinium meaning 'banditry' or 'robbery', so imagine a bandit taking other people's goods. So, larceny today means illegally taking someone else's property to keep it.