What is larceny?

Larceny is defined as the unlawful taking of someone else's property with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of that property. This definition encompasses the key elements of larceny: the act must be unauthorized (unlawful taking), involve physical property, and the perpetrator must have the intention to keep that property out of the owner's possession permanently.

Understanding these elements highlights why larceny is distinguished from other legal terms. For example, breaking and entering refers specifically to illegal entry into a structure, which is not inherently about the intent to deprive the owner of property in a permanent manner. The intentional infliction of emotional distress pertains to causing psychological harm to another person through outrageous conduct, not the theft of physical property. Lastly, changing one's identity for financial gain, often associated with fraud, does not involve the direct taking of property like larceny does.

By focusing on the specifics of what constitutes larceny, it's clear why the definition emphasizing both the unlawful nature of the taking and the intent to permanently deprive the owner is the correct answer.