squatter's right

American  

noun

Law Informal.

1. a claim to real property, especially public land, that may be granted to a person who has openly possessed and continuously occupied it without legal authority for a prescribed period of years.

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Etymology

Origin of squatter's right

An Americanism dating back to 1855–60

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

squatter's right

Up to that time no settler had more than a squatter's right.

From Dr. John McLoughlin, the Father of Oregon by Frederick Van Voorhies Holman

Of course, The Laird hasn't any more title to the Sawdust Pile than you have—not as much, in fact, for I do believe you could make a squatter's right stick in any court.

From Kindred of the Dust by Peter B. (Peter Bernard) Kyne

It may be a kind of squatter's right, or anything else, or it may have no standing at all.

From Mushroom Town by Oliver Onions

While your father was in Europe with you, they horned in, claimed a squatter's right, and stood pat.

From Kindred of the Dust by Peter B. (Peter Bernard) Kyne

We did not fail to examine our shoes before putting them on in the morning, lest the scorpions should have established a squatter's right therein.

From Due West or Round the World in Ten Months by Maturin Murray Ballou

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