What term describes the unlawful taking of property with intent to permanently deprive another of it?

The term that describes the unlawful taking of property with the intent to permanently deprive another of it is theft. This definition encompasses various forms of stealing, where the key aspect is the intention behind the act. In theft, the perpetrator takes someone else's property without their consent and with the purpose of keeping it, distinguishing it from other related crimes that may involve different elements.

For instance, burglary specifically refers to the unauthorized entry into a building with the intent to commit a felony or theft inside. Robbery goes a step further, as it involves taking property from a person by force or threat of force. Shoplifting is a specific type of theft that occurs in retail environments, typically characterized by stealing goods from a store, but it still falls under the broader definition of theft. Therefore, when considering the comprehensive nature of the definition, theft is the most accurate term for the act described in the question.