usurpation

noun

usur·​pa·​tion ˌyüsə(r)ˈpāshən sometimes ˌyüzə(- 

plural -s

1

: the act of usurping : unauthorized arbitrary assumption and exercise of power especially as infringing on others' rights

dictatorial usurpation of Congressional power

—Current History

specifically : the illegal seizure of sovereign power

—usually used with of or sometimes with on or upon

2

: an act or an instance of encroachment

protect the executive branch from any legislative usurpations

—Sidney Hyman

3

: the dispossession of the patron of a church by a stranger presenting to a vacant benefice a clerk who is thereupon admitted and instituted

4

Roman law : an interruption of use or possession (as in usucapion or in cohabitation)

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin usurpation-, usurpatio act of using, from usurpatus (past participle of usurpare to use) + -ion-, -io -ion

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Rhymes for usurpation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation