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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Usurpation \U'sur*pa"tion\, noun [L. usurpatio ? making use, usurpation: cf. F. usurpation.]
1. The act of usurping, or of seizing and enjoying; an authorized, arbitrary assumption and exercise of power, especially an infringing on the rights of others; specifically, the illegal seizure of sovereign power; -- commonly used with of, also used with on or upon; as, the usurpation of a throne; the usurpation of the supreme power.
He contrived their destruction, with the usurpation of the regal dignity upon him. --Sir T. More.
A law [of a State] which is a usurpation upon the general government. --O. Ellsworth.
Manifest usurpation on the rights of other States. --D. Webster.
Note: Usurpation, in a peculiar sense, formerly denoted the absolute ouster and dispossession of the patron of a church, by a stranger presenting a clerk to a vacant benefice, who us thereupon admitted and instituted.
2. Use; usage; custom. [Obs.] --Bp. Pearson.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
usurpation
noun
1: entry to another's property without right or permission [syn: {trespass}, {encroachment}, {violation}, {intrusion}]
2: wrongfully seizing and holding (an office or powers) by force (especially the seizure of a throne or supreme authority); "a succession of generals who ruled by usurpation"
From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:
43 Moby Thesaurus words for "usurpation": accession, adoption, anointing, anointment, appointment, appropriation, arrogation, assignment, assumption, authorization, colonization, conquest, consecration, coronation, delegation, deputation, election, empowerment, encroachment, enslavement, incursion, indent, infraction, infringement, inroad, intrusion, invasion, legitimate succession, occupation, overstepping, playing God, preemption, preoccupation, prepossession, requisition, seizure, subjugation, succession, takeover, taking over, transgression, trespass, trespassing
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Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |