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

Example Sentences

They have merely squatter's right to the land, and are always in danger of being ousted by unscrupulous big men who come in late, but with a title technically straight.

From Through the Brazilian Wilderness by Roosevelt, Theodore

On the land that was his by squatter's right or government claim he planted and reaped his crops.

From Society Its Origin and Development by Rowe, Henry Kalloch

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

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

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 Ballou, Maturin Murray

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 Kyne, Peter B. (Peter Bernard)