Middle English Dictionary Entry
ūsurper n.
Entry Info
| Forms | ūsurper n. Also usurpour, usurpur. |
| Etymology | OF usurpeur; also cp. ME ūsurpen v. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) One who unlawfully assumes royal authority, a usurper;
(b) one who presumptuously or illegally appropriates another’s office, position, etc.
Associated quotations
a
- (1415) Let.in Ellis Orig.Let.ser.2.145 : Harry of Lancastre, usurpur of Yngland…hadde made the more people to hadde draune to hym and fro ȝow.
- (1474) RParl.6.119b : Ye, Sovereigne Lord, have…xiii m men Archers, graunted for defence of this Reame, to Harry the sext late usurpour, in a Parlement holden at Redyng in the xxxi yere of his usurped reigne.
- (1477) RParl.6.193b : His enemies mortall, the usurpers, laboryng…to exclude hym…from the Regalie.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.140 : Arthure, kyng of all the greate Brytain, And emperour of Rome by title of righte…Vnto the same Lucius, for thyne vnright, Vsurper of the sea emperiall, Sendeth gretyng, as enemie moost mortall.
b
- c1500(?a1475) Ass.Gods (Trin-C R.3.19)682 : Ther were…Wrong vsurpers, with gret extorcioners.