larceny

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larceny

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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]

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈlɑː.sən.i/, /ˈlɑː.sɪ.ni/

• Audio (Southern England):

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• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈlɑɹ.sə.ni/

larceny (countable and uncountable, plural larcenies)

1. (law, uncountable) The unlawful taking of personal property as an attempt to deprive the legal owner of it permanently. [from mid-15th c.] synonyms ▲quotations ▼

   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.

2. (law, countable) An individual instance of such a taking.

   That young man already has four assaults, a DUI, and a larceny on his record.

• larcenous
• larcenist

• Rylance, Carnley