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Definition of usurp - 4 dictionary results

u⋅surp

  [yoo-surp, -zurp]
Use usurp in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to seize and hold (a position, office, power, etc.) by force or without legal right: The pretender tried to usurp the throne.
2. to use without authority or right; employ wrongfully: The magazine usurped copyrighted material.
–verb (used without object)
3. to commit forcible or illegal seizure of an office, power, etc.; encroach.
Origin:
1275–1325; ME < L ūsūrpāre to take possession through use, equiv. to ūsū (abl. of ūsus use (n.)) + -rp-, reduced form of -rip-, comb. form of rapere to seize + -āre inf. ending

Related forms:
u⋅surp⋅er, noun
u⋅surp⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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u·surp   (yōō-sûrp', -zûrp')   
v.   u·surped, u·surp·ing, u·surps

v.   tr.

  1. To seize and hold (the power or rights of another, for example) by force or without legal authority. See Synonyms at appropriate.

  2. To take over or occupy without right: usurp a neighbor's land.

  3. To take the place of (another) without legal authority; supplant.

v.   intr.
To seize another's place, authority, or possession wrongfully.

[Middle English usurpen, from Old French usurper, from Latin ūsūrpāre, to take into use, usurp; see reup- in Indo-European roots.]
u·surp'er n., u·surp'ing·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

usurp 
c.1325, 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) + rapere "to seize" (see rapid).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: usurp
Pronunciation: yu-'s&rp, -'z&rp
Function: verb
Etymology: Latin usurpare to take possession of without a strict legal claim, from usus use + rapere to seize
transitive verb : to seize and hold (as office, place, or powers) in possession by force or without right usurp the powers of the legislature> intransitive verb : to seize or exercise authority or possession wrongfully —usur·pa·tion /"yü-s&r-'pA-sh&n, -z&r-/ noun —usurp·er /yu-'s&r-p&r, -'z&r-/ noun
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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