Dictionary

latrociny en · NOUN

Etymology

From Latin latrōcinium (“highway robbery”), from latrōcinor, from latrō (“brigand, robber, mercenary”) + -cinor (“verbal suffix”). Doublet of larceny.

Meanings

1. (obsolete, uncountable, usually) Theft or robbery.
   • There are yet one or two instances of this cunning latrociny which occurs to us as too rich not be noted. 1845, The American Whig review, volume 1, Wiley and Putnam, page 273:
   • The whole civil power was lodged in such hands as had secret instructions from court to vex and ill treat the Israelites; and when matters were come to crisis, that oppression ruled, and the government was turned into a mere latrociny, private force upon any proper occasion, must be deemed lawful in all […] 1836, Daniel Dewar, A history of the holy Bible, with an intr., additional notes and dissertations, and a complete index by D. Dewar,, page 250:
   • Of all thefts, I think literary latrociny the least to be excused; and if I had the drawing up of a new penal code, I would certainly make plagiary death, (ay, outright death,) without the benefit of clergy. 1832, W H. Armstrong, The poetic negligée, by Caleb,, page 138:

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