What does "deprive" mean in the context of theft?

In the context of theft, "deprive" refers specifically to the act of permanently withholding property from its rightful owner. This definition emphasizes the nature of theft as involving a permanent and unauthorized taking of someone else's property. The key aspect here is the intent and the outcome: by depriving the owner, the thief denies them any further rights to that property, which fits the legal definition of theft.

Option B accurately captures this by focusing on the permanent aspect of the act, which is crucial in distinguishing theft from other actions that may involve taking property temporarily or under different circumstances. This concept aligns with the legal framework surrounding theft laws, where the intent to permanently deprive the owner is a fundamental element for an act to be classified as theft.