usurpation

[yoo-ser-pey-shuhn, -zer-]

noun

1. an act of usurping; wrongful or illegal encroachment, infringement, or seizure.

2. illegal seizure and occupation of a throne.

Other Word Forms

• usurpative adjective
• usurpatory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of usurpation¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin ūsūrpātiōn-, stem of ūsūrpātiō “a seizing for use,” equivalent to ūsūrpāt(us) “seized for use” (past participle of ūsūrpāre; usurp ) + -iō -ion

Related Words

• annexation 
• confiscation