claim

[ kleym ]
/ kleɪm /

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

to make or file a claim: to claim for additional compensation.

noun

Idioms for claim

    lay claim to, to declare oneself entitled to: I have never laid claim to being an expert in tax laws.

Origin of claim

1250–1300; (v.) Middle English claimen < Anglo-French, Old French claimer < Latin clāmāre to cry out; (noun) Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French cla( i) me, noun derivative of the v.

synonym study for claim

1. See demand.

historical usage of claim

The English noun claim comes from the verb, which in turn comes from the Old French verb clamer (stem claim- ) “to summon to law, affirm vigorously,” from the Latin verb clāmāre “to shout, accompany with shouts, shout the name of.”
The verb claim originally meant “to assert a legal right, to make a demand for something that is one’s due.” In the 19th century, claim developed a looser, less strict sense, especially in American usage, “to make an unsubstantiated statement; assert or maintain as a fact,” a meaning considered inelegant at that time but also one that occurs in the writings of Chaucer.
The legal term quitclaim meaning “to quit or give up a right or claim” dates from the 14th century in England. The noun claim meaning “a request or demand for payment in accordance with an insurance policy” dates from the 19th century.
Just as we intuitively understand the relationship between claim and quitclaim, it's pretty clear how the words acclaim, reclaim, proclaim, etc., are related in meaning and etymology to claim.

OTHER WORDS FROM claim

Example sentences from the Web for unclaimed

British Dictionary definitions for unclaimed (1 of 2)

unclaimed
/ (ʌnˈkleɪmd) /

adjective

not having been claimed £7 million in unclaimed prizes

British Dictionary definitions for unclaimed (2 of 2)

claim
/ (kleɪm) /

verb (mainly tr)

noun

Derived forms of claim

claimable, adjective claimer, noun

Word Origin for claim

C13: from Old French claimer to call, appeal, from Latin clāmāre to shout

Idioms and Phrases with unclaimed

claim