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petit larceny

American  
[pet-ee] / ˈpɛt i /

noun

Law.
  1. petty larceny.


petit larceny British  

noun

  1. (formerly in England) the stealing of property valued at 12 pence or under. Abolished 1827

  2. (in some states of the US) the theft of property having a value below a certain figure

"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

Other Word Forms

  • petit larcenist noun

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

Bragg's office downgraded the charge to petit larceny, the New York Post reported.

From Fox News • Feb. 4, 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