Furtum

Lat. Theft. Furtum est contrectatiofraudulosa, lucrifaciendi gratid, vel ipsius rei, vel etiam usus ejus, possessionisve. Theft is the fraudulent handling or meddling with a thing, or the use or possession of it, for the sake of making gain.

Inst. 4. 1. 1.

Bracton has borrowed some of the terms of this definition, but has otherwise considerably modified it. Furtum est contrectatio rei alienee fraudulenta, cum animofurandi, invito illo domino cujus res ilia fuerit. Theft is the fraudulent handling of another's property, with the intention of stealing it, against the will of its owner. Brnct, fol.

150 b.

This is adopted by Lord Coke. 3 Inst. 107. See Theft, Contrectatio.

A thing stolen

Si furtum in manu, vel sub potestate alicujus inveniatur; if the thing stolen be found in the hand or under the power of another. Bract, fol.

151 b.

Several derivations of the word furtum are given in the dvil law, viz.: from fur^* vum, black or dark, because theft is committed privately, and generally in the night; or from fraus, fraud; or from ferendo or auferendo, taking away; or from the Gr. g>&Qa, theft.

Inst 4. 1. 2.