Duhaime's Law Dictionary Rapina Definition: Latin: to take away forcefully. In Roman law and later, civil law, the quasi-delict of the theft of movables committed with violence. Alexander Burrill defined rapina as follows: “In the civil law. The violent taking from the person of another, of money or goods for the sake of gain; robbery from the person. “In old English law, open and violent larceny from the person; robbery.” In Roman law, rapina was punished more severely than furtum. Rapina was not a criminal offence per se but a form of quasi-delict which gave rise to a claim for damages, those damages being greater if it was proved that the delict was committed with violence, a rapina. REFERENCES: Burrill, A., Law Dictionary and Glossary, Vol. II (New York: Baker, Voorhis & Co., Law Publishers, 1867) Duhaime, Lloyd, Legal Definition of Damnum injuria datum Duhaime, Lloyd, Legal Definition of Furtum Duhaime, Lloyd, Legal Definition of Quasi-Delict Howe, W., Studies in the Civil Law (Littleton, Colorado: Fred B. Rothman & Co., 1980), page 192-193 Monier, R., Vocabulaire de Droit Romain (Paris: Editions Domat, 1948), page 130 Categories & Topics: Dictionary of Latin Law Terms Duhaime's Ancient Common Law Dictionary Duhaime's Civil Law Dictionary Duhaime's Criminal Law Dictionary Duhaime's Tort and Personal Injury Law Dictionary Always looking up definitions? Save time with our search provider (modern browsers only) If you find an error or omission in Duhaime's Law Dictionary, or if you have suggestion for a legal term, we'd love to hear from you!