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.

---

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

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 Kyne, Peter B. (Peter Bernard)

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

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

"But your father has his squatter's right," put in the lawyer, feeling that he was giving the student less chance if he said this.

From Tess of the Storm Country by White, Grace Miller