What is defined as "theft"?

The definition of theft involves the unlawful taking of someone else's property with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of that property. This means that the essential element of theft is both the act of taking and the intent to steal. The first choice accurately encapsulates this concept, as it clearly states the act of taking exceeds mere borrowing or temporary possession—it conveys the intention to steal, which is crucial for establishing theft.

The other options fail to capture the complete nature of theft. Borrowing property without permission, as mentioned in another choice, might imply a lack of authorization but does not necessarily indicate the intention to permanently deprive the owner. Taking property with the owner's knowledge suggests consent, which negates the foundational element of theft being an unauthorized taking. Lastly, describing unlawful entry pertains more closely to burglary rather than theft itself, as it focuses on the act of entering rather than the appropriation of property. Thus, the first option stands out as the accurate definition of theft within criminal law.