robbery
UK: ˈrɒbəri | US: ˈrɑːbəri
n. the act of taking property unlawfully from a person or place by force or threat of force
n. (figuratively) blatant or unjust exploitation
The word "robbery" originates from the Old French rober (to steal), which itself derives from the Germanic raubōn (to plunder). The suffix -ery (from Latin -aria) was added to form a noun indicating the action or practice of stealing. Over time, the term evolved to specifically denote theft involving force or intimidation, distinguishing it from other forms of theft like burglary or larceny. The morpheme "rob" retains its core meaning of theft, while "-ery" systematizes the concept into a recognizable legal and social category.
The bank robbery was captured on security cameras.
He was sentenced to ten years in prison for armed robbery.
The politician accused the corporation of daylight robbery in its pricing policies.
The novel’s plot revolves around a daring jewelry store robbery.
Victims of the robbery cooperated with police to identify the suspects.