Larcenously

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. Conducting oneself in a way that reveals a tendency towards theft, marked by unscrupulousness and a blatant disregard for legal ownership
2. Displaying actions that suggest a propensity for stealing, often associated with immorality and a lack of respect for other people's property
3. Engaging in behaviors characterized by a strong inclination towards theft, exhibiting both unethical motives and a failure to acknowledge rightful ownership

Etymology: "Larcenously" is a plain English formation: the adjective "larcenous," meaning given to theft, with the adverbial suffix "-ly" added to produce a sense of doing something in a thieving manner. Its meaning is transparent once the parts are known. "Larcenous" itself rests on "larceny," the legal term for theft of personal property, which came into English through Anglo-Norman law French from Latin "latrocinium," meaning robbery or brigandage. The Latin word is built on "latro," a robber or mercenary soldier, so the older root carries the sense of a hired fighter rather than a sneak thief.

Synonyms: theftily, stealthily