Usurpation

5 definitions found

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

  Usurpation \U`sur*pa"tion\, n. [L. usurpatio ? making use,
     usurpation: cf. F. usurpation.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. The act of usurping, or of seizing and enjoying; an
        authorized, arbitrary assumption and exercise of power,
        especially an infringing on the rights of others;


        specifically, the illegal seizure of sovereign power; --
        commonly used with of, also used with on or upon; as, the
        usurpation of a throne; the usurpation of the supreme
        power.
        [1913 Webster]
        [1913 Webster]
  
              He contrived their destruction, with the usurpation
              of the regal dignity upon him.        --Sir T. More.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              A law [of a State] which is a usurpation upon the
              general government.                   --O.
                                                    Ellsworth.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Manifest usurpation on the rights of other States.
                                                    --D. Webster.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Usurpation, in a peculiar sense, formerly denoted the
           absolute ouster and dispossession of the patron of a
           church, by a stranger presenting a clerk to a vacant
           benefice, who us thereupon admitted and instituted.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Use; usage; custom. [Obs.] --Bp. Pearson.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  usurpation
       n 1: entry to another's property without right or permission
            [syn: {trespass}, {encroachment}, {violation}, {intrusion}]
       2: wrongfully seizing and holding (an office or powers) by
          force (especially the seizure of a throne or supreme
          authority); "a succession of generals who ruled by
          usurpation"

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  43 Moby Thesaurus words for "usurpation":
     accession, adoption, anointing, anointment, appointment,
     appropriation, arrogation, assignment, assumption, authorization,
     colonization, conquest, consecration, coronation, delegation,
     deputation, election, empowerment, encroachment, enslavement,
     incursion, indent, infraction, infringement, inroad, intrusion,
     invasion, legitimate succession, occupation, overstepping,
     playing God, preemption, preoccupation, prepossession, requisition,
     seizure, subjugation, succession, takeover, taking over,
     transgression, trespass, trespassing
  
  

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

  USURPATION, torts. The unlawful assumption of the use of property which 
  belongs to another; an interruption or the disturbing a man in his right and 
  possession. Toml. Law Dict. h.t. 
       2. According to Lord Coke, there are two kinds of usurpation. 1. When a 
  stranger, without right, presents to a church, and his clerk is admitted; 
  and, 2. When a subject uses a franchise of the king without lawful 
  authority. Co. Litt. 277 b. 
  
  

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

  USURPATION, government. The tyrannical assumption of the government by force 
  contrary to and in violation of the constitution of the country.