3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Usurp  \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.  --Evelyn. 
 
  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. 
  --Wordsworth. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  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.  --Shak. 
 
  Another  revolution,  to  get  rid  of  this  illegitimate  and 
  usurped  government,  would  of  course  be  perfectly 
  justifiable.  --Burke. 
 
  Note:  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. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  usurp 
  v  :  take  control  of  take  as  one's  right  or  possession;  "He 
  assumed  to  himself  the  right  to  fill  all  positions  in  the 
  town";  "he  usurped  my  rights"  [syn:  {assume},  {take  over}, 
  {arrogate}] 

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