— usurper , n. — usurpingly , adv.
/yooh serrp", -zerrp"/ , 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.
3. to commit forcible or illegal seizure of an office, power, etc.; encroach.
[ 1275-1325; ME usurpare to take possession through use, equiv. to usu (abl. of usus USE (n.)) + -rp-, reduced form of -rip-, comb. form of rapere to seize + -are inf. ending ]