larceny

Where does the word "larceny" come from? It comes from Latin latrocinium, passing through Anglo-Norman before entering English (1400s).

Larceny’s story begins in Latin: latrocinium meant “robbery.” 'robbery', from latro, which first meant a hired soldier before it meant a bandit. By 1200s, the word had taken hold in Anglo-Norman as larcin. A term of Law French, the language of English courts until the Pleading in English Act of 1362. It reached English by 1400s as larceny. A legal term for theft; England abolished the crime of larceny by the Theft Act of 1968, though it survives in US law. Today, larceny means theft of personal property.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · classical latrocinium "robbery", 'robbery', from latro, which first meant a hired soldier before it meant a bandit.
2. Stage 2 · Anglo-Norman · 1200s larcin "theft", a term of Law French, the language of English courts until the Pleading in English Act of 1362.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1400s larceny "theft", a legal term for theft; England abolished the crime of larceny by the Theft Act of 1968, though it survives in US law.