arson
n. C / Un. the crime of deliberately setting fire to a building or vehicle. You use this word when someone starts a fire on purpose, usually to cause damage or hide evidence.
n. the deliberate and criminal setting of fire to property. Typically uncountable when referring to the general crime; countable when referring to specific incidents.
The police suspect arson after finding two separate fires.
Investigators ruled out electrical faults and confirmed the blaze was an act of arson.
The insurance investigator noted the presence of accelerants, suggesting the fire was not accidental but a calculated act of arson designed to trigger a payout.
From Anglo-Norman and Old French arson, from the verb ardoir, from Latin ardeō (“to burn”). Compare ardent.
From Middle English arsoun, from Old French arçon, from Vulgar Latin *arciō (“saddlebow”), from Latin arcus (“bow”); compare Italian arcione, Portuguese arção, and Spanish arzón.