larceny

Meaning

Noun

• The unlawful taking of personal property as an attempt to deprive the legal owner of it permanently.
• A larcenous act attributable to an individual.

Origin

• Coined in Middle English (as larceni) between 1425 and 1475 from Anglo-Norman larcin ("theft"), from Latin latrocinium ("robbery"), from latro, from Ancient Greek λάτρον ("pay, hire").