arson

arson · noun, verb¹

1. Latin · derived fromardeō“to burn”
2. Old French · derived fromarson
3. English todayarson

From Anglo-Norman and Old French arson, from the verb ardoir, from Latin ardeō (“to burn”). Compare ardent.

arson · noun²

1. Latin · derived fromarcus“bow”
2. Vulgar Latin · derived from*arciō“saddlebow”
3. Old French · derived fromarçon
4. Middle English · inherited fromarsoun
5. English todayarson

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.

Words from the same roots