English edit

Etymology edit

From Middle English usurpacioun, from Old French usurpacion, from Latin ūsurpātiō.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˌjuːsə(ɹ)ˈpeɪʃən/, /ˌjuːzə(ɹ)ˈpeɪʃən/

Noun edit

usurpation (countable and uncountable, plural usurpations)

  1. The wrongful seizure of something by force, especially of sovereignty or other authority.
    • a. 1627 (date written), Francis Bacon, chapter VII, in James Spedding, editor, The Works of Francis Bacon, []: The Letters and the Life of Francis Bacon [], volume IV, London: Longmans, Green, Reader, and Dyer, published 1858, →OCLC, page 270:
      The third part of practice hath divers branches, but one principal root in these our times, which is the vast and overspreading ambition and usurpation of the see of Rome; []
    • 1685, John Dryden, Albion and Albanius, published 1691, Act I, scene i, page 10:
      Sent from the God's to ſet us free / From Bondage and from Uſurpation!
  2. Trespass onto another's property without permission.
  3. A taking or use without right.

Related terms edit

Translations edit

Further reading edit

French edit

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /y.zyʁ.pa.sjɔ̃/
  • (file)

Noun edit

usurpation f (plural usurpations)

  1. usurpation (wrongful seizure)
  2. that which is usurped

Further reading edit