usucapion

American  

[yoo-zuh-key-pee-on, -suh-] / ˌyu zəˈkeɪ piˌɒn, -sə- /

Also usucaption

noun

Roman Law.

1. the acquisition of property through long, undisturbed possession.

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Etymology

Origin of usucapion

1600–10; < Latin ūsūcapiōn-, stem of ūsūcapiō, equivalent to ūsū, ablative singular of ūsus ( use (noun)) + capiō a taking ( cap ( ere ) to take + -iō (stem -iōn- ) -ion )

Example Sentences

No great chance of error would be incurred by describing him as having an equitable estate in the inheritance; but then, to secure ourselves against being deluded by the analogy, we must always recollect that in one year the Bonorum Possessio was operated upon a principle of Roman Law known as Usucapion, and the Possessor became Quiritarian owner of all the property comprised in the inheritance.

From Project Gutenberg

There is no principle in all law which the moderns, in spite of its beneficial character, have been so loath to adopt and to carry to its legitimate consequences as that which was known to the Romans as Usucapion, and which has descended to modern jurisprudence under the name of Prescription.

From Project Gutenberg

The period of possession was exceedingly short—one or two years according to the nature of the commodities—and in historical times Usucapion was only allowed to operate when possession had commenced in a particular way; but I think it likely that at a less advanced epoch possession was converted into ownership under conditions even less severe than we read of in our authorities.

From Project Gutenberg

As I have said before, I am far from asserting that the respect of men for de facto possession is a phenomenon which jurisprudence can account for by itself, but it is very necessary to remark that primitive societies, in adopting the principle of Usucapion, were not beset with any of the speculative doubts and hesitations which have impeded its reception among the moderns.

From Project Gutenberg

What was the exact tenor of the rule of Usucapion in its earliest shape, it is not easy to say; but, taken with the limitations which we find attending it in the books, it was a most useful security against the mischiefs of a too cumbrous system of conveyance.

From Project Gutenberg