usurp: Meaning and Definition of

u•surp

Pronunciation: (y-sûrp', -zûrp'), [key]
— v.t.
  1. to seize and hold (a position, office, power, etc.) by force or without legal right: The pretender tried to usurp the throne.
  2. to use without authority or right; employ wrongfully: The magazine usurped copyrighted material.
—v.i.
  1. to commit forcible or illegal seizure of an office, power, etc.; encroach.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
See also: