asportation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / TechnicalFormal / Legal / Technical
Quick answer
What does “asportation” mean?
The act of carrying something away, especially as it relates to the removal of property or goods, often with legal connotations.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of carrying something away, especially as it relates to the removal of property or goods, often with legal connotations.
In legal contexts, specifically refers to the carrying away of someone else's property, constituting a necessary element of the crime of larceny (theft). In broader or technical use, can refer to the physical removal or transportation of objects, sometimes in medical contexts (e.g., removal of tissue).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used identically in both British and American legal terminology, stemming from common law. Its usage is confined almost entirely to legal texts and scholarly discussions of property law.
Connotations
Purely technical and legal. Carries no additional cultural or colloquial connotations in either variety.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties. Slightly more likely to be encountered in American law schools due to the continued emphasis on the common law elements of crimes, but the difference is marginal.
Grammar
How to Use “asportation” in a Sentence
The asportation of [property/object]Asportation is proved by [evidence][Subject] must establish asportation.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “asportation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The prosecution failed to prove the goods had been asported, a key element of the charge.
American English
- The defendant must have asported the property, however slightly, for larceny to be complete.
adverb
British English
- No common adverbial form exists.
American English
- No common adverbial form exists.
adjective
British English
- The asportative act was complete the moment he moved the wallet from the table.
American English
- No distinctive British/American difference for this extremely rare adjectival form.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used almost exclusively in law schools and legal scholarship discussing the elements of theft.
Everyday
Never used. Would confuse listeners.
Technical
The primary context. Used in legal briefs, judicial opinions, and law textbooks concerning property crimes.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “asportation”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “asportation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “asportation”
- Using it in everyday contexts.
- Confusing it with 'transportation'.
- Misspelling as 'asportation' (double 's') or 'asportation'.
- Assuming it is a common synonym for 'theft' (it is only one element of theft).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is a highly technical legal term. Using it in conversation will likely confuse your listener and sound pretentious.
'Theft' (or larceny) is the overall crime. 'Asportation' is one of its specific legal elements—the actual physical carrying away of the property.
No. In law, even a slight movement demonstrating control over the property (e.g., lifting a purse from a chair) can satisfy the element of asportation.
It comes from Latin 'asportatio', from 'asportare' meaning 'to carry off', from 'ab-' (away) + 'portare' (to carry).
The act of carrying something away, especially as it relates to the removal of property or goods, often with legal connotations.
Asportation is usually formal / legal / technical in register.
Asportation: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæspɔːˈteɪʃ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæspɔrˈteɪʃ(ə)n/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “There are no common idioms featuring 'asportation'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'ASPORTation': you 'AS you PORT' something away. A 'port' is where things are carried to and from, so 'asportation' is the act of carrying *away*.
Conceptual Metaphor
THEFT IS A JOURNEY (The property is taken on a journey from its original place).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'asportation' most appropriately used?