Dictionary
u•surp
Pronunciation: (yOO-sûrp', -zûrp'), [key]—
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.
to commit forcible or illegal seizure of an office, power, etc.; encroach.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.