Usurp

U*surp" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Usurped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Usurping.] [L. usurpare, usurpatum, to make use of, enjoy, get possession of, usurp; the first part of usurpare is akin to usus use (see Use, n.): cf. F. usurper.] To seize, and hold in possession, by force, or without right; as, to usurp a throne; to usurp the prerogatives of the crown; to usurp power; to usurp the right of a patron is to oust or dispossess him.

Alack, thou dost usurp authority.

Another revolution, to get rid of this illegitimate and usurped government, would of course be perfectly justifiable.

☞ Usurp is applied to seizure and use of office, functions, powers, rights, etc.; it is not applied to common dispossession of private property.

Syn. -- To arrogate; assume; appropriate.

U*surp", v. i. To commit forcible seizure of place, power, functions, or the like, without right; to commit unjust encroachments; to be, or act as, a usurper.

The parish churches on which the Presbyterians and fanatics had usurped.

And now the Spirits of the Mind
Are busy with poor Peter Bell;
Upon the rights of visual sense
Usurping, with a prevalence
More terrible than magic spell.