Arson is a serious crime that involves intentionally setting fire to property or structures. It is a dangerous and destructive act that can cause significant harm to individuals, communities, and the environment. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of arson, its origin, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences.
Definitions
Arson is defined as the criminal act of intentionally setting fire to property or structures. It is considered a serious crime and is punishable by law. Arson can be committed for various reasons, such as revenge, insurance fraud, or to cover up another crime.
Origin
The word “arson” comes from the Old French word “arson”, which means “fire”. The term was first used in the English language in the 1600s to describe the crime of deliberately setting fire to property.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, arson is “the willful or malicious burning of property (such as a building) especially with criminal or fraudulent intent.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines arson as “the criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property.”
Associations
Arson is often associated with other crimes such as vandalism, burglary, and insurance fraud. It can also be linked to mental illness or emotional distress.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of arson include fire-raising, incendiarism, pyromania, and torching.
Antonyms
There are no antonyms of arson as it is a specific crime and cannot be undone.
The same root words
The same root words as arson include ardent, ardor, and arsonist.
Example Sentences
- The police suspect arson as the cause of the fire that destroyed the building.
- The insurance company denied the claim due to evidence of arson.
- He was charged with arson after setting fire to his ex-girlfriend’s car.
- The arsonist was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his crimes.
- The fire department investigated the scene to determine if the fire was caused by arson.