USURP

usurp. Usurp, [u as yu] v.t. to hold without right, to seize upon by violence

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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. Alack, thou dost usurp authority. Shak. Another revolution, to get rid of this illegitimate and usurped government, would of course be perfectly justifiable. Burke. ☞ Usurp is applied to seizure and use of office, functions, powers, rights, etc.; it is not applied to common dispossession of private property. Syn. — To arrogate; assume; appropriate.