Word: Petty Larceny
Definition:
"Petty larceny" is a legal term that refers to the crime of stealing something that is not very valuable. This usually means that the stolen item is worth less than a certain amount of money, which can differ depending on where you are.
Usage Instructions:
- Use "petty larceny" when talking about small thefts, such as stealing low-cost items from a store or someone's personal belongings. - It is typically used in legal contexts or discussions about crime.
Example Sentence:
- "He was charged with petty larceny after he stole a pair of socks from the store."
Advanced Usage:
- In more complex discussions, you might see "petty larceny" used to differentiate it from "grand larceny," which involves stealing items of greater value.
Word Variants:
- "Larceny" can stand alone, referring generally to the crime of theft. - There are no direct variants of "petty larceny," but you might encounter terms like "theft" or "shoplifting," which are related.
Different Meanings:
- "Larceny" alone refers to theft in general, while "petty larceny" specifies a type of theft involving items of lower value.
Synonyms:
- Theft - Stealing - Shoplifting (specific to stealing from stores)
Idioms:
There are no direct idioms that include "petty larceny," but you might encounter idioms related to theft, such as: - "Caught red-handed" – to be caught in the act of doing something wrong, like stealing.
Phrasal Verbs:
There are no specific phrasal verbs for "petty larceny," but you might use verbs related to stealing, such as: - "To take away" – meaning to remove something from someone, often without their permission.
In summary, "petty larceny" is a term used to describe the theft of items that are not worth much money.