[a. OF. arson, -oun, -un:—late L. arsiōn-em, n. of action f. ars- ppl. stem of ardēre to burn. First used as Eng. by Hale.] The act of wilfully and maliciously setting fire to another man’s house, ship, forest, or similar property; or to one’s own, when insured, with intent to defraud the insurers.
[1275. 1 Stat. Westm. (3 Edw. I.), xv. Ceux qui sont pris pur arsoun feloniousement fait. Transl. 1618: Such as be taken for house burning feloniously done.
1583. Staundforde, Plees del Coron, 36 a. Arsons de measons felonisement faits est felony per le comen ley.
1640. Coke, 3rd Pt. Inst., xv. Indictment of burning.
a. 1680. Hale quotes the prec. as ‘Indictment of arson.’]
a. 1680. Hale, Pleas of Crown, 566. The felony of arson or wilful burning of houses.
1768. Blackstone, Comm., IV. 220. Arson … is the malicious and wilful burning of the house or outhouses of another man.
1831. Carlyle, Sart. Res., II. vi. Stampings, smitings, breakages of furniture, if not arson itself.
1856. Motley, Dutch Rep. (1861), I. 24. Murder, larceny, arson, rape … were commuted for a definite price.
