-rəˌgāt, usu -ād.+V transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin arrogatus, past participle of arrogare to appropriate to oneself, from ad- + rogare to ask — more at right
1.
a. : to claim or seize as one's right (something one is not entitled to) : appropriate
the sweeping powers the federal government would arrogate … over a domain that had always hitherto been under the states — T.H.White
b. : to make undue claims to the possession of : maintain without reason that one has : assume
the unwarranted importance arrogated to themselves by public men — Kenneth Roberts
2. : to lay claim to on behalf of another : ascribe , attribute
a proposal which would have arrogated to the four general staff sections all the functions of a headquarters
3. : to adopt (as a person sui juris and independent) in the form and under the special circumstances permitted under the Roman law — see arrogation ; compare potestas
Synonyms: see appropriate