Make Your Point > Archived Issues > LARCENOUS

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"LARCENOUS" Meaning: Larceny is theft (stealing someone else's stuff.) So, someone or something larcenous is thievish by nature or just related to theft. Pronunciation: LAR sun us Part of speech: Adjective. (Adjectives are describing words, like “large” or “late.” They can be used in two ways: 1. Right before a noun, as in “their larcenous ways.” 2. After a linking verb, as in "Their was were larcenous.”) Other forms: larceny, larcenously, larcenist/larcener How to use it: Talk about larcenous people and their larcenous ways or habits, someone's larcenous look or glance, someone's larcenous eyes or hands, a larcenous plan or idea, and so on. The lunch room at my high school was notoriously larcenous: anything left unprotected, from half-eaten fries to mostly-dry Sharpies, would be swiped. These researchers are pretty much despised for their larcenous piggybacking off others' accomplishments, and yet they keep getting funded. Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "larcenous" means when you can explain it without saying "snatching" or "thieving." Think of someone you know (or a fictional character) who takes what isn't his/hers, and fill in the blanks: "(Person's) larcenous bent became clear when _____."  Example: "Her larcenous bent became clear when she saw nothing wrong in keeping the cash from the pocket of a found jacket she 'generously' returned." Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game and quote below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Playing With Words: This month, we're sampling questions from Orijinz, an awesome series of games about the origins of words, phrases, and quotes. Click here if you want to check them out. Try a question here each day this month, and see the right answer the next day. Have fun! Yesterday's question: "Guess the phrase! Origin: This phrase comes from poker. Poker players 'ante up' at the beginning of a hand by contributing to a small, set amount to the pot before being dealt in. Definition: State your opinion." Answer: "The phrase is: Put your two cents in." Today's question: "Guess the word! Origin: The original Arabic meaning of this word was 'storehouse,' often for military equipment. In 1731, the word was used in a periodical title to figuratively mean 'storehouse of information.' Its current meaning is derived from this. Definition: A periodical that contains articles, stories, and other features." A Point Well Made: Edward Gibbon: "The winds and waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators." 1. The opposite of LARCENOUS is A. SUPERVISED B. SYMPATHETIC C. PRINCIPLED 2. A larcenous gleam in her eyes appeared when she saw the _____. A. unguarded wallet B. dessert menu C. election results Answers are below. To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each day for free by Mrs. Liesl Johnson, M.Ed., a word lover, learning enthusiast, and private tutor of reading and writing in the verdant little town of Hilo, Hawaii. For writing tips, online learning, essay guidance, and more, please visit www.HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. C 2. A Exploring the archives: Today's word describes people who are willing to steal, or people who do steal. Sometimes you need a more subtle word, though, to describe someone willing to take a bribe but not necessarily steal from someone else. What's that word? It starts with "v."