[ad. OF. usurper (14th c.), ad. L. ūsūrpāre (whence It. usurpare, Pr., Sp., Pg. usurpar) to seize for use, to use, employ.]
I. 1. trans. To appropriate wrongfully to oneself (a right, prerogative, etc.). † Also const. against, upon.
a. 1325. MS. Rawl. B. 520, fol. 56 b. Ȝif þe Eir mid wronge vsurped þe seisine of Eldere þoru deseisine.
1399. Langl., Rich. Redeles, III. 257. To vsurpe þe service þat to sages bilongith, To be-come conselleris er þey kunne rede.
1569. J. Sanford, trans. Agrippa’s Van. Artes, 154 b. Apicius more then all others haue vsurped ye glory and fame of this arte.
a. 1578. Lindesay (Pitscottie), Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.), I. 18. [He] sould have usurpat all honnour riches and authoritie.
1596. Edward III., I. i. 80. Tell him, the Crowne that hee vsurpes is myne.
1607. Cowell, Interpr., Quo Warranto, is a writ that lyeth against him, which vsurpeth any Frawnchis or libertie against the king.
1656. Earl Monm., trans. Boccalini’s Pol. Touchstone (1674), 277. That pretence of Right, which the violence of the Sword hath usurp’d upon other mens Estates.
a. 1680. Butler, Rem. (1759), I. 346. They were fain to usurp the Right of his Cause, to justify their own.
1709. Strype, Ann. Ref., I. xiv. 187. The people by a great consent usurped them [sc. favours] to themselves.
1791. Cowper, Iliad, I. 624. Him with shame The King of men hath overwhelm’d, by force Usurping his just meed.
1813. Shelley, Q. Mab, VI. 223. The almighty Fiend Whose name usurps thy honours.
1838. Lytton, Leila, I. ii. My uncle usurped my birthright.
fig. and transf. a. 1586. Sidney, Arcadia, II. vii. So ougly a darkenesse … usurped the dayes right.
1634. Ford, Perk. Warbeck, II. iii. Tis our pleasure To giue our Cosen Yorke for wife our kinswoman the ladie Katherine: Instinct of soveraigntie Designes the honor, though her peevish Father Vsurps our Resolution.
b. esp. To intrude forcibly, illegally, or without just cause into (some dignified or important office, position, etc.); to assume or arrogate to oneself (political power, rule, authority, etc.) by force; to claim unjustly.
c. 1440. Jacob’s Well, 28. Þo þat vsurpyn of newe tyme þe kepyng or þe amonicyoun of ony cherch in tyme of voydaunce.
1447. Bokenham, Seyntys (Roxb.), 28. Audronicus … be tyranny Usurpyd the pryncehood of that plas.
a. 1513. Fabyan, Chron., IV. xx. 49. He … vsurpyd the Rule and domynyon of the lande.
1538. Tonstall, Serm. Palm Sund. (1823), 5. Wherfore he [sc. Christ] dyd not vsurpe equalitie vnto god, but [etc.].
1598. Barret, Theor. Warres, IV. i. 103. To vsurpe the preheminence, which onely is due to the Camp-Master.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., II. xxviii. 162. The acts of power usurped,… are not acts of publique Authority.
1681. H. Nevile, Plato Rediv., 34. Either to usurp Tyranny over his own Country, or to lead men forth to … subdue another.
1729. T. Innes, Crit. Essay (1879), 32. Carausius … usurped the empire in Britain towards the end of the third century.
1751. Johnson, Rambler, No. 166, ¶ 5. Eager to usurp the station to which he has no right.
1836. Thirlwall, Greece, III. 245. Cleon … did not wish to usurp the functions of Nicias.
1844. H. H. Wilson, Brit. India, III. 280. To set aside the local government, and usurp an independent and paramount authority.
1891. Pall Mall G., 9 Oct., 2/1. Mr. Parnell repeated…—‘You attempted to put the resolution and usurp my authority as chairman.’
fig. and transf. 1603. Shaks., Meas. for M., III. ii. 99. To … vsurpe the beggerie hee was neuer borne to.
1667. Milton, P. L., XII. 421. So he dies, But soon revives, Death over him no power Shall long usurp.
1722. Wollaston, Relig. Nat., 24. The bridle will be usurped by those appetites which it is a principal part of all religion … to curb.
1781. Cowper, Conversat., 745. The world grown old,… Usurps God’s office, lays his bosom bare.
1799. Sickelmore, Agnes & L., II. 195. In the silent hours of retirement reflection usurped the empire of the leaden god.
1839. Sigourney, Lett. to Mothers, xv. The worldly and common trains of thought, which usurp dominion over us.
1857. Toulmin Smith, Parish, 119. Too much intermeddling from the Home Office has been allowed to be gradually usurped.
2. To seize or obtain possession of (territory, land, etc.) in an unjust or illegal manner; to assume unjust rule, dominion, or authority over, to appropriate wrongfully. Also const. on, upon (= against), over.
c. 1400. Maundev. (1839), 145. He … usurped the Lond, and helde it to himself, and cleped him Emperour of Trapazond.
1432–50. trans. Higden (Rolls), II. 103. The Danes vsurpede the realme of Estenglonde.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 224 b/1. By cause that he wold usurpe to hym self hys herytage.
1507. Reg. Privy Seal Scotl., I. 208/2. Gif ony of thaim occupiis and usurpis ony part of the kingis propir lands.
1579. Fenton, Guicciard., 358. To reconquer to the sea Apostolike, all those places … that had bene vsurped vpon the Church.
1598. Hakluyt, Voy., I. 147. The cities adhearing vnto the king vsurped diuers Castles belonging to the Master, tooke certain … knightes.
1653. H. Cogan, trans. Pinto’s Trav., IV. 11. Having usurped the town of Goa upon him.
1687. A. Lovell, trans. Thevenot’s Trav., I. 223. That Church … was usurped by the Turks, and serves them … for their chief Mosque.
a. 1721. Prior, Dial. Dead, Cromwell & Porter, Wks. 1907, II. 267. The three Kingdoms You Usurped.
1809. Bawdwen, Domesday Bk., 2. Walden usurped two houses of Ketel the priest.
fig. and tranf. 1592. Shaks., Ven. & Ad., 591. Whereat a sudden pale … Usurps her cheek.
1592. Arden of Feversham, I. 99. Sweete Mosbie is the man that hath my hart: And he vsurpes it.
1633. G. Herbert, Temple, Bunch of Grapes, i. One aire of thoughts usurps my brain.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 3 Aug. 1656. Blasphemous and ignorant mechanics usurping the pulpets every where.
1726. Pope, Odyssey, XX. 430. Universal night usurps the pole!
1807. J. Barlow, Columb., II. 210. Ere … Memphian pyramids usurp’d the skies.
1845. Emerson, Ess., Love, ¶ 4. The proportion which this topic of personal relations usurps in the conversation of society.
b. transf. To occupy or take the place of, physically; to encroach or trench upon.
1635. Quarles, Embl., I. ii. 10. The white-mouth’d Water now usurpes the Shore.
1687. Dryden, Hind & P., III. 863. A just Reprise would only be Of what the Land usurped upon the Sea.
1764. Goldsm., Trav., 290. The firm connected bulwark [= dyke of Holland] seems to grow; Spreads its long arms amidst the watery roar,… and usurps the shore.
1817. Byron, Manfred, III. iv. Ivy usurps the laurel’s place of growth.
1841. T. R. Jones, Anim. Kingd., 730. The placenta completely usurps the place of the allantois.
c. Of feelings, passions, etc.: To take possession of, occupy, or assume predominance in (the mind, bosom, etc.).
1749. Smollett, Regicide, V. viii. Distemper’d passion … Usurped my troubled bosom.
1798. Ferriar, Illustr. Sterne, etc., Genius, 282. When frenzy and imposture usurp the regard.
1824. Campbell, Theodric, 490. Alarm … now usurp’d his brain.
1853. Kane, Grinnell Exp., xviii. (1856), 138. The object which seemed to usurp the undivided attention of our party.
d. To usurp the place of, in fig. uses.
1573. Baret, Alv., K k i. Concerning I consonant, which oftentimes vniustly vsurpeth the sounde and place of g.
1739. Butler, Serm., Wks. 1874, II. 229. True religion takes up that place in the mind, which superstition would usurp.
1781. Cowper, Table-t., 320. When tumult … usurp’d authority’s just place.
1863. Holland, Lett. Joneses, xix. 271. The love of party has always usurped the place of the love of Country.
1879. H. Phillips, Notes Coins, 5. Copper began to usurp the place of other metals.
† 3. To take or hold possession of (something belonging to another or others) by sleight or force; to appropriate by ruse or violence; to steal.
c. 1412–20. Lydg., Chron. Troy, V. 73. Þat he þis relik reioisshe shulde of riȝt, Be sleiȝte wonne…, And vsurpeth, be maner of avaunt.
1484. Caxton, Fables of Æsop, II. xviii. I beleue wel that thow hast vsurped and robbed som thynge.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 242 b. The reuenewes of some they haue vsurped already.
1620. Brent, trans. Soave’s Hist. Counc. Trent., I. 100. The Ecclesiasticall goods should not be vsurped.
1643. Burroughes, Exp. Hosea, vii. 375. As a man that hath his goods taken away from him usurped.
fig. and transf. c. 1425. trans. Arderne’s Treat. Fistula, etc., 30. Any oþer witty man perceyuyng his werk mow vsurpe it to hymself.
1602. Shaks., Ham., I. i. 46. What art thou that vsurp’st this time of night? Ibid. (1605), Lear, IV. ii. 28. To thee a Womans seruices are due, My Foole vsurpes my body.
a. 1637. B. Jonson, Discov., Wks. (Rtldg.), 747/2. Their own fox-like thefts … are so rank, as a man may find whole pages together usurped from one author.
4. To make use of (something not properly belonging to one or one’s estate); to use or employ wrongfully.
c. 1412. Hoccleve, De Reg. Princ., 440. Certes to blame ben þe lordes grete,… þat hir men lete Vsurpe swiche a lordly apparaille.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. VI., 114. Beside this, she vsurped a cote of arms.
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, 727. The barke of … Sorbus … is in some places wrongfully vsurped … for the diseases of the milte.
1601. Shaks., All’s Well, IV. iii. 119. His heeles haue deseru’d it, in vsurping his spurres so long.
1661. Sparrow, Bk. Com. Prayer (ed. 2), A 6. Learned Jews from that time, usurp the same partition of Chapters on the Old Testament.
1713. Addison, Cato, IV. i. Who’s this that dares usurp The Guards and Habits of Numidia’s Prince?
1831. Scott, Ct. Rob., iii. portrait of Alexander, in executing which, some inferior dauber has usurped the pencil of Apelles.
fig. and transf. 1598. B. Jonson, Ev. Man in Hum. (Q.), V. i. 307. Which suit … I put on, and vsurping your mans phrase and action, caried a message to Signior Thorello in your name.
1744. Harl. Misc., I. 66. To Prince and People, that usurp unlawful Methods to accomplish their unjust Intentions.
1781. Cowper, Table-T., 637. [To] claim the palm for purity of song, That lewdness had usurp’d and worn so long.
1813. Shelley, Q. Mab, IX. 100. The old thorn … Usurped the royal ensign’s grandeur.
b. To assume or claim (a name or title) unduly as one’s own; to arrogate or take to oneself. Also simply, to assume, bear.
1549. W. Thomas, Hist. Italie, 15 b. Theyr owne priuate capitaines enterprised many tymes not onely to rebell, but also to vsurpe the name of emperours.
1577. Holinshed, Chron., Hist. Eng., I. 202/1. Euery one … sought … to vsurp ye title of King.
1592. Shaks., Ven. & Ad., 794. Call it not love, for Love to heaven is fled, Since sweating Lust on earth usurp’d his name.
1610. Heywood, Gold. Age, F 4. Let that Clime henceforth Be cal’d Arcadia, and vsurpe thy name.
1675. Dryden, Aurengz., V. (1676), 8. The noble Arimant usurp’d my name.
1776. Gibbon, Decl. & F., I. 58. The name … of Orator was usurped by the sophists.
1781. Cowper, Retirem., 319. He that has not usurp’d the name of man.
1883. F. Pollock, in Proc. Roy. Instit., X. 38. The name of claymore (commonly usurped by the much later basket-hilted pattern).
c. To take (a word or words) into use; to borrow or appropriate from another language, source, etc.; to employ, use.
1531. Elyot, Gov., I. xxii. Of them two [sc. ‘celeritie’ and ‘slownesse’] springeth an excellent vertue where unto we lacke a name in englisshe. Wherfore I am constrained to usurpe a latine worde, callyng it Maturitie.
1559. W. Cunningham, Cosmogr. Glasse, 56. [The word] stadium … is vsurped, for a place where men exercise ther horse, ronnyng a rase.
1573. Daus, trans. Bullinger on Apoc. (ed. 2), 254 b. And these wordes haue more grace in ours and other straunge languages, vsurped than translated. So haue remayned in the Church, Osanna, Amen [etc.].
1601. B. Jonson, Poetaster, III. i. ‘White’ is there vsurpt for her brow.
1649. Milton, Eikon., 126. He usurps a common saying, That it is kingly to doe well and heare ill.
1690. Leybourn, Curs. Math., 347. ddd is … there usurped for ggc.
1859. Sir W. Hamilton, Lect. (1877), I. xi. 197. The[se] Latin terms … were very rarely usurped in their present psychological meaning.
† 5. To exercise, practise, or inflict (injury, cruelty, etc.); to put into act, impose. Occas. const. on, towards. Also transf. Obs. rare.
1456. Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S.T.S.), 134. It is … honest to oppos … all injure or violence unlauchfully usurpit.
1583. Stocker, Civ. Warres Lowe C., III. 103 b. Usurping on them all kinde of crueltie, and warlike licence.
1625. [? Skinner], trans. Montanus Inquis., 89. Certaine penalties and punishments vsurped towards offenders.
a. 1700. Dryden, Sigism. & Guisc., 419. [State laws] are usurp’d on helpless Woman-kind, Made without our Consent, and wanting Pow’r to bind.
6. To supplant, oust, or turn out (a person); † to deprive (one) of possessions. Also refl. rare.
a. 1325. MS. Rawl. B. 520, fol. 56. Þoru þat he him vsurpede bi-þoute iugement þoru his oune propre auctorite.
1512. Helyas, in Thoms, Prose Rom. (1828), III. 91. The erle … wyllynge to usurpe her of her duchy.
1601. Shaks., Twel. N., I. v. 198. Vio. Are you the Ladie of the house? Ol. If I do not vsurpe my selfe, I am.
1622. Mabbe, trans. Aleman’s Guzman d’Alf., I. 194. No man shall dare or presume, to vsurpe or defraud one another in this kinde.
1890. Pall Mall G., 9 Oct. (1891), 2/1. ‘How dare you, sir, attempt to usurp me in the chair?’ he [sc. Mr. Parnell] exclaimed.
transf. 1821. Shelley, Hellas, 260. O miserable dawn, after a night More glorious than the day which it usurped!
II. † 7. intr. To claim or make pretensions, to assume or attempt arrogantly, to be or do something. Obs.
c. 1391. Chaucer, Astrol., Prol. I ne vsurpe nat to haue fownde this werk of any labour.
1430–40. Lydg., Bochas, VIII. 772. This Karansynvs … Proudli vsurped to be ther gouernour. Ibid., IX. 125. He gadred people, gan wexe a werreiour, Ageyn Heraclius…. And vsurped to ride in tho cuntres.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 204/4. To be crucyfyed upryght I haue not usurped.
1521. in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. II. I. 282. The said Dukes fader tooke upon hym and usurped to be king ageinst his elder broder.
8. To act or play the usurper; to rule or exercise authority as a usurper. Also const. over, against. Now rare.
c. 1425. Wyntoun, Cron., V. x. 2476. He … hald him of his part content, Vsurpand nocht oure his extent.
1477. Norton, Ord. Alch., v., in Ashm. (1652), 67. When he usurpeth above equality.
a. 1513. Fabyan, Chron., IV. lxxiv. 51. Whenne he had reygned, or more verely vsurped, by the terme of iiii. yeres.
c. 1585. [R. Browne], Answ. Cartwright, 83. If any do usurpe, as traitors, against her maiesty.
1592. Kyd, Sol. & Pers., III. iv. Your Lord vsurps in all that he possesseth.
1596. [see USURPATION 4].
1640. Habington, Edw. IV., 224. The house of Lancaster usurping against Edward.
1653. Holcroft, Procopius, Vandal Wars, I. 9. Basiliscus … attempted to usurp, and prevailed…. And Basiliscus usurped a year and eight months.
a. 1733. Raymond, Reports (1743), 954. Though he afterwards usurp and die, and the advowson descend to his heir.
fig. 1667. Milton, P. L., IX. 1132. Sensual Appetite Usurping over sovran Reason claimd Superior sway. Ibid., XI. 823. All fountaines of the Deep Broke up, shall heave the Ocean to usurp Beyond all bounds.
1827. Keble, Chr. Year, Sexagesima Sunday, vi. Chaining to earth … Hearts that would highest else aspire, And o’er the tenderer sex usurping ever most.
9. To usurp on or upon: a. To practise usurpation upon, to commit illegal seizure or action against (a person or persons).
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, I. iii. 39. Kyng Vther felle seke…, And in the means whyle hys enemyes Vsurpped vpon hym.
1530. Palsgr., 769/2. Howe longe it is sythe he began first to usurpe upon you.
1576. Southampton Court Leet Rec. (1905), I. 138. His breethren doo vssurpe vppon the Comers vnto of this towne.
1640. Habington, Edw. IV., 21. Women who usurpe on their husbands.
1677. Govt. Venice, 250. Popes … have usurped upon Seculars in the very power of suppressing of Heretical Books.
1701. Watson, Clergyman’s Law, 85. If any other Person … doth usurp upon the Lessee.
1760–72. H. Brooke, Fool of Qual. (1809), III. 36. When any of the three estates have usurped upon the others.
1889. Lowell, Latest Lit. Ess., Walton (1891), 77. When he speaks of himself he never seems to usurp on other people.
fig. 1603. Florio, Montaigne, III. x. 606. The motions of love, which I felt to vsurpe vpon me.
1608. Shaks., Per., III. ii. 82 (Q. 1). Death may vsurpe on Nature many howers, and yet The fire of life kindle againe the ore-prest spirits.
b. To encroach or infringe upon (a right, privilege, etc.); to arrogate to oneself unjustly.
1493. Acta Dom. Conc. (1839), 287/1. Vsurping apon þe fredomez & priuilegis of þe said burghe.
1531. Dialogues on Laws Eng., xxvi. 58. That they vsurpe vpon the popes auctorite.
1594. O. B., Quest. Profit. Concern., 31 *b. Such destroying fathers vsurped vpon the right.
1598. Dallington, Meth. Trav., L 2 b. The Noblesse of Athens hauing vsurped vpon the Democratie of that City.
1643. S. Marshall, Copy of Lett., 25. It is most apparent that they have not usurped upon His Majesties Prerogative.
1684. T. Burnet, Theory Earth, I. Ep. to King. Those that would usurp upon the fundamental priviledge and birth-right of mankind.
1720. Gordon & Trenchard, Independ. Whig (1728), 153. It is the highest Sacrilege to usurp upon this great Authority.
1771. Goldsm., Hist. Eng., II. 141. The commission … had usurped upon his authority.
1822. Monthly Mag., LIII. 333. This would … suffer Sweden and Prussia gradually to usurp on its Baltic ascendancy.
1868. Manning, in Ess. Relig. & Lit., Ser. III. (1874), 12. The Saxon and the Norman kings gradually usurped upon the freedom of the Church by customs.
1879. M. Pattison, Milton, 123. Many matters, in which the old prelatic church had usurped upon the domain of the state.
transf. 1599. B. Jonson, Ev. Man out of Hum., Charac. Persons, Shift, a thread-bare shark:… He vsurps vpon cheats, quarrels, and robberies which he neuer did.
1654. G. Goddard, in Burton’s Diary (1828), I. 83. Whensoever any advantage offers itself, the one will usurp on the other, and … strive totally to subvert it.
1670. H. Stubbe, Plus Ultra, 137. To prevent the Virtuosi from usurping upon my discoveries and intendments.
1840. De Quincey, Style, Wks. 1859, XI. 175. This tendency in political journals to usurp upon the practice of books.
1870. Lowell, Study Wind., 212. The unclean rites of Baal … usurp on the worship of the one only True and Pure.
c. To seize, intrude or lay hold upon (land, property, etc.) without right or just cause; to assume authority or domination over, to become superior to.
1630. R. Johnson’s Kingd. & Commw., 576. The Moores or Arabians,… usurping upon the maritime coasts of the Country, have built them places and Cities.
a. 1674. Clarendon, Surv. Leviath. (1676), 160. When he usurp’d upon France with equal Tyranny.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 18 March, 1649. The parish churches, on which the Presbyterians and fanatics had usurp’d.
fig. and transf. 1588. Shaks., Titus A., III. i. 268. This sorrow is an enemy, And would vsurpe vpon my watry eyes.
a. 1613. Brerewood, Lang. & Relig. (1614), 10. At this day, the Greek tongue is very much decayed:… in … the west, the natural languages of the countries have usurped upon it.
1622. Waller, On Danger his Majesty escaped, 86. The loud winds usurping on the main.
1633. Marmion, Antiquary, I. i. Usurp then on the proffer’d means, Show yourself forward in an action.
1709. Mrs. Manley, Secret Mem. (1720), II. 263. Her killing Eyes now seem’d to lay aside their Darts: Languishments usurp’d upon the Fire.
a. 1859. De Quincey, Posth. Wks. (1893), II. 42. The heart of stone had usurped upon the heart of flesh.
d. To encroach upon physically. (Cf. 2 b.)
1658. Cleveland, Rustick Rampant (1687), 447. The honest Husbandmen … repairs the Banks, but does not usurp upon the Stream.
† 10. To take possession of a thing by usurpation; to become participator of. Obs.
a. 1513. Fabyan, Chron., VII. (1811), 429. He had vsurpyd of the comon grounde of ye cytie, in settynge of the said towre.
1609. Bible (Douay), Joshua vii. 1. The children of Israel transgressed the commandment, and usurped of the anathema.
