usurpation

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the wrongful seizure and exercise of power, office, authority, or a right

   The nobles resisted the general's usurpation of the throne.

2. 2
   noun

   an unauthorized encroachment on another person's property, rights, or position

   The court treated the occupation of the land as a usurpation of the owner's rights.

From Middle English usurpacioun and Old French usurpacion, from Latin usurpatio ("seizure or use"), formed from usurpare ("to take into use, seize"). The political sense narrowed to the wrongful taking of sovereign power or office.

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