Theft

Definition

Theft refers to the act of taking another person's property without their consent and with the intent to permanently deprive them of it.

Parts of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

American English

IPA Pronunciation: /θɛft/
Respelling: THEFT (with "THEFT" rhyming with "left" and "cleft")

British English

IPA Pronunciation: /θɛft/
Respelling: THEFT (similar to American English, with "THEFT" rhyming with "left" and "cleft")

In both dialects, "theft" is pronounced with a short "e" sound, as in "left" or "cleft," followed by "ft." The pronunciation of "theft" is consistent between American and British English.

Etymology

The term "theft" originates from Old English "þēofþ", which is related to the Old High German "diob", both meaning "theft". It's associated with the Proto-Germanic "*þeubaz", which leads back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*tewbh-", denoting "to steal".

Derivatives

Theftproof
Theft-resistant
Theft-deterrent
Thief
Thieve

Synonyms

Larceny
Burglary
Robbery

Antonyms

Return
Restitution
Reimbursement

Usage

"Theft" is commonly used in legal contexts to denote a criminal activity where one individual unlawfully takes another's property. It can be used more broadly in various contexts to indicate any instance where something is taken without permission.

Related Terms

Steal
Pilferage
Embezzlement
Fraud
Misappropriation

Detailed Definition

Noun

Criminal Taking of Property: The act of stealing; specifically, the felonious taking and removing of personal property, with an intent to deprive the rightful owner of the same; larceny.
Example: The theft of the artwork remains one of the most notorious unsolved crimes of the decade.