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usurpation

 - 2 dictionary results

u⋅sur⋅pa⋅tion

  [yoo-ser-pey-shuhn, -zer-]
Use usurpation in a Sentence
–noun
1. an act of usurping; wrongful or illegal encroachment, infringement, or seizure.
2. illegal seizure and occupation of a throne.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < L ūsūrpātiōn- (s. of ūsūrpātiō), equiv. to ūsūrpāt(us) (ptp. of ūsūrpāre to usurp ) + -iōn- -ion

Related forms:
u⋅sur⋅pa⋅tive  [yoo-sur-puh-tiv, ‑zur‑] , u⋅sur⋅pa⋅to⋅ry  [yoo-sur-puh-tawr-ee, ‑tohr-ee, ‑zur‑] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To usurpation
u·sur·pa·tion   (yōō'sər-pā'shən, -zər-)   
n.  

  1. The act of usurping, especially the wrongful seizure of royal sovereignty.

  2. A wrongful seizure or exercise of authority or privilege belonging to another; an encroachment: "in our own day, gross usurpations upon the liberty of private life" (John Stuart Mill).

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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