larceny

What does “larceny” mean?

noun.theft of personal property.

SAT Usage

this term often appears in passages related to crime, law, or morality, emphasizing the criminal act of stealing personal property. It connotes a deliberate and unlawful intention, distinguishing itself from broader terms like "theft" by focusing specifically on the act of unlawfully taking someone else's belongings, often with implications of deceit or betrayal.

Common Confusions

Larceny implies a deliberate and unlawful act of stealing someone's property, while theft usually suggests a broader category that can include both legal and illegal methods of acquiring possession.

Example Sentences

• He was charged with larceny after stealing from the store.

• The businessman was arrested for larceny after it was discovered that he had embezzled millions from his own company over several years.