petit larceny

noun

: larceny involving property of a value below a legally established minimum

Examples of petit larceny in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The 40 counts against Measures and KMR include one count of first-degree scheme to defraud, three counts of second-degree grand larceny, 28 counts of third-degree grand larceny, five counts of fourth-degree grand larceny and three counts of petit larceny. Christie D’zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025 Measures was indicted in Manhattan on 40 counts, including grand larceny, petit larceny and scheming to defraud. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 22 Apr. 2025 He was initially charged with murder, arson and petit larceny, police said. Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 14 Feb. 2025 All three were charged with burglary, petit larceny and criminal trespass. Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for petit larceny

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1580, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of petit larceny was circa 1580

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Cite this Entry

“Petit larceny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petit%20larceny. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

Legal Definition

petit larceny

see larceny

More from Merriam-Webster on petit larceny

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