\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.

\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.