Arson Definition
ärsən
noun
The crime of intentionally and illegally setting fire to a building or other structure.
American Heritage
The crime of purposely setting fire to another's building or property, or to one's own, as to collect insurance.
Webster's New World
An instance of this crime.
A rash of arsons.
American Heritage
In common law, the willful and malicious burning of someone else’s dwelling house. In some states, the term includes, under specific circumstances, the burning of a dwelling house by its owner.
Webster's New World Law
Under modern statutes, the intentional causing of a dangerous fire or explosion for the purpose of destroying one’s own or another’s property.
Webster's New World Law
Synonyms:
- fire-raising
- incendiarism
- set conflagration
- criminal setting of fires
- willful burning of property
- firing
- pyromania
- torch job
- torching
- malicious burning of other's property
- deliberate burning of property
Other Word Forms of Arson
Noun
Singular:
arsonPlural:
arsonsOrigin of Arson
-
Anglo-Norman from Late Latin ārsiō ārsiōn- from Latin ārsus past participle of ārdēre to burn as- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
-
Anglo-Norman and Old French arson, from the verb ardoir, from Latin ardeō (“to burn”). Compare ardent
From Wiktionary
Arson Is Also Mentioned In
Find Similar Words
Find similar words to arson using the buttons below.