petit larceny
Americannoun
noun
-
(formerly in England) the stealing of property valued at 12 pence or under. Abolished 1827
-
(in some states of the US) the theft of property having a value below a certain figure
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of petit larceny
First recorded in 1580–90
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Drago was found guilty of one misdemeanor count of petit larceny for stealing a bouquet and other items from the memorial that Rodriguez had set up to honor her teenage daughter, Kayla Cuevas.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 24, 2023
The “Fantastic Beasts” star appeared in Vermont Superior Court remotely with their lawyer for the arraignment to felony burglary and petit larceny.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 13, 2023
Mr. Ortiz was also charged with petit larceny, the theft of something without high value.
From Washington Times ● Oct. 5, 2022
"Now he's charged with petit larceny, which is not even bail eligible."
From Fox News ● Feb. 21, 2022
Aspirants to minor offices are classified according to desert, but no one who has not at least committed petit larceny, is allowed a place on any regular ticket.
From Doesticks, What He Says by Doesticks, Q. K. Philander
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.