Word of the Day

: September 8, 2008

usurp

verb yoo-SERP

What It Means

: to seize and hold by force or without right

usurp in Context

In her first managerial position, Hannah was hesitant to delegate critical tasks for fear that a subordinate might usurp her position.

Did You Know?

"Usurp" was borrowed into English in the 14th century from the Anglo-French word "usorper," which in turn derives from the Latin verb "usurpare," meaning "to take possession of without a legal claim." "Usurpare" itself was formed by combining "usu" (a form of "usus," meaning "use") and "rapere" ("to seize"). Other descendants of "rapere" in English include "rapacious" ("given to seizing or extorting what is coveted"), "rapine" ("the seizing and carrying away of things by force"), "rapt" (the earliest sense of which is "lifted up and carried away"), and "ravish" ("to seize and take away by violence").