Usucaption

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Usucaption \U`su*cap"tion\ (?; 277), n. [L. usucapere,
     usucaptum, to acquire by long use; usu (ablative of usus use)
     + capere to take: cf. usucapio usucaption.] (Roman Law)
     The acquisition of the title or right to property by the
     uninterrupted possession of it for a certain term prescribed
     by law; -- the same as {prescription} in common law.


     [1913 Webster]

From Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [bouvier]:

  USUCAPTION, civil law. The manner of acquiring property in things by the 
  lapse of time required by law. 
       2. It differs from prescription, which has the same sense, and means, 
  in addition, the manner of acquiring and losing, by the effect of time 
  regulated by law, all sorts of rights and actions. Merl. Repert. mot 
  Prescription, tom. xii. page 671; Ayl. Pand. 320; Wood's Inst. Civ. Law, 
  165; Lecons Elem. du Dr. Rom. Sec. 437; 1 Browne's Civ. Law, 264, n.; 
  vattel, ii. 2, c. 2, Sec. 140.