larceny

Pronunciation: /ˈlɑɹ.sə.ni/

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun the act of taking something from someone unlawfully

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”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

theft, thievery, thieving, stealing

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
felony
Narrower (hyponyms)
skimming, pilferage, shoplifting, petit larceny, embezzlement, robbery

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