arson

[ ahr-suh n ]

/ ˈɑr sən /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR arson ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

Law. the malicious burning of another's house or property, or in some statutes, the burning of one's own house or property, as to collect insurance.

Nearby words

arsine, arsino, arsino group, arsis, arsm, arson, arsonist, arsphenamine, arsy, arsy-varsy, arsy-versy

Origin of arson

1670–80; < Anglo-French, Old French < Late Latin ārsiōn- (stem of ārsiō) a burning, equivalent to ārs- (Latin ārd(ere) to burn (cf. ardent) + -t(us) past participle suffix) + -iōn- -ion

Related formsar·son·ous, adjective

Can be confusedarsenous arsonous

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for arson

In the late 1940s, he writes, there was “one racially motivated bombing or arson” every twenty days.
How We Built the Ghettos|Jamelle Bouie|March 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Zeffirelli's film was awful and creepy and over the top in all the right ways: arson, chases, death, prison, Tom Cruise.
What the New ‘Endless Love’s Fireplace Sex Scene Is Missing|Sujay Kumar|February 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It's a good day to remember Rodney Hulin, a physically slight teenager who was serving time for arson in a Texas prison.
Stop Prison Rape Now|Jamie Fellner|September 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But no one went through with the arson threats that were bandied about back then, says Cummins.
Cleveland Wants to Burn Down Ariel Castro’s House. Should It Be?|Christine Pelisek|May 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Cummins has already heard of at least three threats of arson directed at the property.
Cleveland Wants to Burn Down Ariel Castro’s House. Should It Be?|Christine Pelisek|May 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He was tried on an indictment charging him with the offense of arson.
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. VII, December 1850, Vol. II|Various
This appointment of this committee was with a view of trying to stop the arson and riot by peaceable measures?
Report of the Committee Appointed to Investigate the Railroad Riots in July, 1877|Various
The Tories in both the Carolinas rose with their masters, and followed their lead in plundering and arson.
Peggy Owen Patriot|Lucy Foster Madison
Later, when the striking workmen began to grow hungry, riot, arson and bloodshed were nightly occurrences.
The Quickening|Francis Lynde
That means train-wrecking, misplaced switches, arson—anything you like.
The Taming of Red Butte Western|Francis Lynde

British Dictionary definitions for arson

arson

/ (ˈɑːsən) /

noun

criminal law the act of intentionally or recklessly setting fire to another's property or to one's own property for some improper reason

Derived Formsarsonist, noun

Word Origin for arson

C17: from Old French, from Medieval Latin ārsiō, from Latin ārdēre to burn; see ardent

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for arson

arson

1670s, from Anglo-French arsoun (late 13c.), Old French arsion, from Late Latin arsionem (nominative arsio) "a burning," noun of action from past participle stem of Latin ardere "to burn," from PIE root *as- "to burn, glow" (see ash (n.1)). The Old English term was bærnet, literally "burning;" and Coke has indictment of burning (1640).

arson

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of arson

Examples from the Web for arson

British Dictionary definitions for arson

arson

noun

Word Origin for arson

Word Origin and History for arson

arson