arson Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun malicious burning to destroy property
    incendiarism; fire-raising.
    • the British term for arson is fire-raising

WordNet

Ar"son noun
Etymology
OF. arson, arsun, fr. L. ardere, arsum, to burn.
Definitions
  1. (Law) The malicious burning of a dwelling house or outhouse of another man, which by the common law is felony; the malicious and voluntary firing of a building or ship. Wharton. ✍ The definition of this crime is varied by statues in different countries and states. The English law of arson has been considerably modified in the United States; in some of the States it has been materially enlarged, while in others, various degrees of arson have been established, with corresponding punishment. Burrill.

Webster 1913