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usurp
[ yoo-surp, -zurp ]
/ yuËsÉrp, -ËzÉrp /
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verb (used with object)
to seize and hold (a position, office, power, etc.) by force or without legal right: The pretender tried to usurp the throne.
to use without authority or right; employ wrongfully: The magazine usurped copyrighted material.
verb (used without object)
to commit forcible or illegal seizure of an office, power, etc.; encroach.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known asâŠ
Origin of usurp
First recorded in 1275â1325; Middle English, from Latin Ć«sĆ«rpÄre âto take possession through use,â equivalent to Ć«sĆ« (ablative of Ć«sus âact of using, employmentâ (see use) + -rp-, reduced form of -rip-, combining form of rapere âto seizeâ + -Äre infinitive ending
OTHER WORDS FROM usurp
Words nearby usurp
usufructuary, Usumacinta, Usumbura, usurer, usurious, usurp, usurpation, usurped, usurper, usury, U.S.V.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use usurp in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for usurp
usurp
/ (juËËzÉËp) /
verb
to seize, take over, or appropriate (land, a throne, etc) without authority
Derived forms of usurp
usurpation, nounusurpative or usurpatory, adjectiveusurper, nounWord Origin for usurp
C14: from Old French usurper, from Latin Ć«sĆ«rpÄre to take into use, probably from Ć«sus use + rapere to seize
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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