usurp
[ yoo-surp, -zurp ]
/ yuˈsɜrp, -ˈzɜrp /
verb (used with object)
to seize and hold (a position, office, power, etc.) by force or without legal right: The pretender tried to usurp the throne.
to use without authority or right; employ wrongfully: The magazine usurped copyrighted material.
verb (used without object)
to commit forcible or illegal seizure of an office, power, etc.; encroach.
Origin of usurp
1275–1325; Middle English < Latin
ūsūrpāre to take possession through use, equivalent to
ūsū (ablative of
ūsus
use (noun)) +
-rp-, reduced form of
-rip-, combining form of
rapere to seize +
-āre infinitive ending
OTHER WORDS FROM usurp
Words nearby usurp
Example sentences from the Web for usurp
British Dictionary definitions for usurp
usurp
/ (juːˈzɜːp) /
verb
to seize, take over, or appropriate (land, a throne, etc) without authority
Derived forms of usurp
usurpation, noun usurpative or usurpatory, adjective usurper, nounWord Origin for usurp
C14: from Old French
usurper, from Latin
ūsūrpāre to take into use, probably from
ūsus use +
rapere to seize