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arson

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The definition of arson is the act of purposely setting fire to a building or area.

(noun)

An example of arson would be when a person sets their home on fire to collect the insurance.

See arson in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the crime of purposely setting fire to another's building or property, or to one's own, as to collect insurance

Origin: OFr < LL arsio, fire < L arsus, pp. of ardere, to burn: see ash

Related Forms:

arsonist noun

See arson in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The crime of maliciously, voluntarily, and willfully setting fire to the building, buildings, or other property of another or of burning one's own property for an improper purpose, as to collect insurance.

Origin:

Origin: Anglo-Norman

Origin: , from Late Latin ārsiō, ārsiōn-

Origin: , from Latin ārsus

Origin: , past participle of ārdēre, to burn; see as- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms:

arˈson·ist noun

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