Claim
Pronunciation
- IPA: /kleɪm/
- Rhymes: -eɪm
Alternative forms
- claym obsolete
Origin
From Middle English claimen, from Old French claimer, clamer ("to call, name, send for"), from Latin clÄmÅ ("to call, cry out"), from Proto-Indo-European *kele- ("to shout"), which is imitative; see also Lithuanian kalba ("language"), Old English hlowan ("to low, make a noise like a cow"), Old High German halan ("to call"), Ancient Greek καλÎω (kaleÅ, "to call, convoke"), κλεδον (kledon, "report, fame"), κÎλαδος (kelados, "noise"), Middle Irish cailech ("cock"), Latin calÅ ("to call out, announce solemnly"), Sanskrit उषःकाल (uá¹£aḥkÄla, "cock, literally dawn-calling").
Full definition of claim
Noun
claim
(plural claims)- A demand of ownership made for something (eg. claim ownership, claim victory).
- A new statement of truth made about something, usually when the statement has yet to be verified.
- A demand of ownership for previously unowned land (eg. in the gold rush, oil rush)
- (legal) A legal demand for compensation or damages.
Usage notes
Demand ownership of land not previously owned. One usually stakes a claim.
The legal sense. One usually makes a claim. See
Verb
- To demand ownership of.
- To state a new fact, typically without providing evidence to prove it is true.
- To demand ownership or right to use for land.
- (legal) To demand compensation or damages through the courts.
- (intransitive) To be entitled to anything; to deduce a right or title; to have a claim.
- John LockeWe must know how the first ruler, from whom anyone claims, came by his authority.
- To proclaim.
- To call or name.