n.
Pronunciation: ' är-s ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Anglo-French arsoun, from ars, past participle of arder, ardre to burn, from Latin ard ē re ― more at ARDOR
Date: circa 1680
: the willful or malicious burning of property (as a building) especially with criminal or fraudulent intent
– ar · son · ist \ -ist \ noun
– ar · son · ous \ - ə s \ adjective