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rapinare

to rob; to hold up

verb rah-pee-NAH-reh Rare
People & Society Crime

Origin: From rapina (robbery), from Latin rapina (plunder), related to rapere (to seize).

Usage Note

Rapinare specifically means to commit an armed robbery or mugging — taking property by force or threat. It is distinct from rubare (to steal, more broadly) in that rapinare implies direct confrontation with a victim. Takes avere as auxiliary. The derived noun is rapinatore (robber, mugger).

Examples

"Tre uomini hanno rapinato la banca ieri sera."

Natural Translation

Three men robbed the bank last night.

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