Usurp

Usurp
Usurp U*surp", v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Usurped}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Usurping}.] [L. usurpare, usurpatum, to make use of, enjoy, get possession of, usurp; the first part of usurpare is akin to usus use (see {Use}, n.): cf. F. usurper.] To seize, and hold in possession, by force, or without right; as, to usurp a throne; to usurp the prerogatives of the crown; to usurp power; to usurp the right of a patron is to oust or dispossess him. [1913 Webster]

Alack, thou dost usurp authority. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Another revolution, to get rid of this illegitimate and usurped government, would of course be perfectly justifiable. --Burke. [1913 Webster]

Note: Usurp is applied to seizure and use of office, functions, powers, rights, etc.; it is not applied to common dispossession of private property. [1913 Webster]

Syn: To arrogate; assume; appropriate. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Synonyms:
(without right), , ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • usurp — /yu̇ sərp, zərp/ vb [Latin usurpare to take possession of without a strict legal claim, from usus use + rapere to seize] vt: to seize and hold (as office, place, or powers) in possession by force or without right the courts may not usurp the… …   Law dictionary

  • usurp — usurp; usurp·a·ture; usurp·er; usurp·ing·ly; …   English syllables

  • Usurp — U*surp , v. i. To commit forcible seizure of place, power, functions, or the like, without right; to commit unjust encroachments; to be, or act as, a usurper. [1913 Webster] The parish churches on which the Presbyterians and fanatics had usurped …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • usurp — (v.) early 14c., from O.Fr. usurper, from L. usurpare make use of, seize for use, in L.L. to assume unlawfully, from usus a use (see USE (Cf. use)) + rapere to seize (see RAPID (Cf. rapid)). Related: Usurped; usurping …   Etymology dictionary

  • usurp — *arrogate, preempt, appropriate, confiscate Analogous words: seize, *take, grab, grasp Antonyms: abdicate …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • usurp — [v] take over accroach, annex, appropriate, arrogate, assume, barge in*, butt in*, clap hands on*, commandeer, cut out, displace, elbow in*, get hands on*, grab, grab hold of, highjack*, infringe upon, lay hold of, muscle in*, preempt, seize,… …   New thesaurus

  • usurp — ► VERB 1) take (a position of power) illegally or by force. 2) take the place of (someone in power) illegally. DERIVATIVES usurpation noun usurper noun. ORIGIN Latin usurpare seize for use …   English terms dictionary

  • usurp — [yo͞o sʉrp′, yo͞ozʉrp′] vt. [ME usurpen < MFr usurper < L usurpare < usus, a USE + rapere, to seize: see RAPE1] to take or assume (power, a position, property, rights, etc.) and hold in possession by force or without right vi. to… …   English World dictionary

  • usurp — UK [juːˈzɜː(r)p] / US [juˈzɜrp] verb [transitive] Word forms usurp : present tense I/you/we/they usurp he/she/it usurps present participle usurping past tense usurped past participle usurped formal to take a job or position that belongs to… …   English dictionary

  • usurp — verb Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo French usorper, from Latin usurpare to take possession of without legal claim, from usually (ablative of usus use) + rapere to seize more at rapid Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. a. to seize and… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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