larceny

noun

lar·​ce·​ny ˈlär-sə-nē How to pronounce larceny (audio)
ˈlär-snē
plural larcenies
: the unlawful taking of personal property with intent to deprive the rightful owner of it permanently
was arrested and charged with larceny

Examples of larceny in a Sentence

He was arrested and charged with larceny. He has been accused of several larcenies.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Mangum was indicted on a charge of first-degree murder and two counts of larceny in March 2011. Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 13 Dec. 2024 Troopers responded to a business on Providence Turnpike in Brooklyn around 5:20 a.m. on the report of an active larceny involving individuals in a white van with New Jersey license plates allegedly taking cooking oil from local restaurants, according to Connecticut State Police. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 Nov. 2024 The other case pending is from a January incident, with charges including multiple felonies — larceny over $20,000, larceny in a building and interference with an electronic communication device causing injury or death — and domestic violence. Sylvan Lebrun, Chicago Tribune, 9 Nov. 2024 Jaheim Weaver, 21, turned himself into Milford police on Tuesday and was charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree threatening and sixth-degree larceny. Staff Writer, Connecticut Post, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for larceny 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French larecin theft, from Latin latrocinium robbery, from latron-, latro mercenary soldier, probably from Greek *latrōn, from latron pay

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of larceny was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near larceny

Cite this Entry

“Larceny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/larceny. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

larceny

noun
lar·​ce·​ny ˈlärs-nē How to pronounce larceny (audio)
-ᵊn-ē
plural larcenies
: the unlawful taking of personal property with the intention of depriving the rightful owner of it permanently : theft
larcenous
-nəs
-ᵊn-əs
adjective

Legal Definition

larceny

noun
lar·​ce·​ny ˈlär-sə-nē How to pronounce larceny (audio)
plural larcenies
: the unlawful taking and carrying away of personal property with the intent to deprive the rightful owner of it permanently
also : any of several types of theft (as embezzlement or obtaining another's property by false pretenses) that have been traditionally distinguished from larceny

Note: Under the Model Penal Code and in states that follow it, larceny is a type of theft. In states where larceny is currently defined as a separate crime, it may include the crimes that were distinct from it under common law.

grand larceny
: felonious larceny of property having a value greater than an amount fixed by law
also : larceny accompanied by aggravating circumstances (as the use of threats)
larceny by trick
: larceny of property obtained by the use of misrepresentation especially in getting an owner to hand over something in the belief that it is for temporary purposes compare false pretenses
larceny from the person
: larceny of property held by or within the immediate control of its owner
petit larceny \ ˈpe-​tē-​ \
: larceny of property having a market value below an amount fixed by law

called also petty larceny

Note: Petit larceny is a misdemeanor.

Etymology

modification of Anglo-French larcine theft, from Old French larrecin, from Latin latrocinium robbery, from latron-, latro mercenary soldier, brigand

More from Merriam-Webster on larceny

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