Etymology Map
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Larceny

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means theft of personal property

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

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

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.