Word origins - 2ed. J. Ayto. 2005.
Usurp — 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… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
usurp — /yu̇ sərp, zərp/ vb [Latin usurpare to take possession of without a strict legal claim, from usus use + rapere to seize] vt: to seize and hold (as office, place, or powers) in possession by force or without right the courts may not usurp the… … Law dictionary
usurp — usurp; usurp·a·ture; usurp·er; usurp·ing·ly; … English syllables
Usurp — U*surp , v. i. To commit forcible seizure of place, power, functions, or the like, without right; to commit unjust encroachments; to be, or act as, a usurper. [1913 Webster] The parish churches on which the Presbyterians and fanatics had usurped … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
usurp — (v.) early 14c., 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 (Cf. use)) + rapere to seize (see RAPID (Cf. rapid)). Related: Usurped; usurping … Etymology dictionary
usurp — *arrogate, preempt, appropriate, confiscate Analogous words: seize, *take, grab, grasp Antonyms: abdicate … New Dictionary of Synonyms
usurp — [v] take over accroach, annex, appropriate, arrogate, assume, barge in*, butt in*, clap hands on*, commandeer, cut out, displace, elbow in*, get hands on*, grab, grab hold of, highjack*, infringe upon, lay hold of, muscle in*, preempt, seize,… … New thesaurus
usurp — ► VERB 1) take (a position of power) illegally or by force. 2) take the place of (someone in power) illegally. DERIVATIVES usurpation noun usurper noun. ORIGIN Latin usurpare seize for use … English terms dictionary
usurp — [yo͞o sʉrp′, yo͞ozʉrp′] vt. [ME usurpen < MFr usurper < L usurpare < usus, a USE + rapere, to seize: see RAPE1] to take or assume (power, a position, property, rights, etc.) and hold in possession by force or without right vi. to… … English World dictionary
usurp — UK [juːˈzɜː(r)p] / US [juˈzɜrp] verb [transitive] Word forms usurp : present tense I/you/we/they usurp he/she/it usurps present participle usurping past tense usurped past participle usurped formal to take a job or position that belongs to… … English dictionary
usurp — verb Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo French usorper, from Latin usurpare to take possession of without legal claim, from usually (ablative of usus use) + rapere to seize more at rapid Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. a. to seize and… … New Collegiate Dictionary
