grand larceny

noun

Law.

1. larceny in which the value of the goods taken is above a certain legally specified amount.

grand larceny

noun

1. (formerly in England) the theft of property valued at over 12 pence. Abolished in 1827

2. (in some states of the US) the theft of property of which the value is above a specified figure, varying from state to state but usually being between $25 and $60

Word History and Origins

Origin of grand larceny¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

Brentford were superior in every aspect, and had Liverpool somehow rescued a point it would have been grand larceny.

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One critic noted that "when Maggie Smith is on the screen, the picture moves," and Burton afterwards teasingly described her upstaging of him as "grand larceny."

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Often, the charge is coupled with more serious felonies such as grand larceny.

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Wan was arrested Friday and arraigned Saturday in Manhattan criminal court on grand larceny charges.

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Michael Williams, who’s been investigating this suspected case of grand larceny.

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