arsonist

[ahr-suh-nist]

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noun

a person who commits arson.

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Origin of arsonist

First recorded in 1860–65; arson + -ist

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for arsonist

Contemporary Examples

By contrast, the arsonist behind the Napa fire was given 27 years in prison last year.
Brunello’s King Lear: Gianfranco Soldera Reflects on the Attack on His Wine
Alice Feiring
December 8, 2013
Local media had been reporting that the arsonist was using some kind of Molotov cocktail to smash through the car windows.
Los Angeles Serial-Arson Suspect Charged
Christine Pelisek
January 3, 2012
But fire department officials are not saying what they suspect the arsonist is using to ignite the fires.
What’s Driving L.A. Serial Arsonist to Set Fires?
Christine Pelisek
January 2, 2012
Even so, police and fire officials say they are not sure if they are dealing with one arsonist or many.
Los Angeles Fires: Officials Race to Identify the Arsonist
Christine Pelisek
December 31, 2011
But fire-department officials are not saying what they suspect the arsonist is using to ignite the fires.
Los Angeles Fires: Officials Race to Identify the Arsonist
Christine Pelisek
December 31, 2011

Word Origin and History for arsonist

n.

1864, from arson + -ist.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper