Arson

Noun

Definition: The criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property.

Synonyms: Fire-setting, Incendiarism

Antonyms: Extinguishing, Fire prevention

Examples:

The suspect was charged with arson after setting fire to a building.
The fire department was able to quickly contain the arson and prevent further damage.

Mnemonics:

"Arson" sounds like "our son" - imagine your son setting fire to property and committing a crime.

Etymology:

Origin:

The word "arson" originated from Old French "arsoun" and Anglo-French "arsoun" before coming into English. These origins can be traced back to Latin "ardere" meaning "to burn."

Historical Usage:

The term "arson" has been used in English since the 1670s to describe the act of deliberately setting fire to property as a criminal offense.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Arson for insurance"

Explanation:

This phrase refers to intentionally setting fire to property in order to collect insurance money fraudulently.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Arson and fire-setting are the same thing.

Explanation:

While arson involves intentionally setting fire to property as a criminal act, fire-setting can refer to the act of starting fires for various purposes, including clinical disorders or thrill-seeking behavior. Arson is specifically associated with criminal intent.