Claim - Dictionary Definition and Overview

Claim :  (noun)
1: an assertion of a right (as to money or property); "his claim asked for damages"
2: an assertion that something is true or factual; "his claim that he was innocent"; "evidence contradicted the government's claims"
3: demand for something as rightful or due; "they struck in support of their claim for a shorter work day"
4: an informal right to something; "his claim on her attentions"; "his title to fame" [syn: title]
5: an established or recognized right; "a strong legal claim to the property"; "he had no documents confirming his title to his father's estate"; "he staked his claim" [syn: title]
6: a demand especially in the phrase "the call of duty" [syn: call] (verb)
1: assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing; "He claimed that he killed the burglar" [ant: disclaim]
2: demand as being one's due or property; assert one's right or title to; "He claimed his suitcases at the airline counter"; "Mr. Smith claims special tax exemptions because he is a foreign resident" [syn: lay claim, arrogate] [ant: forfeit]
3: ask for legally or make a legal claim to, as of debts, for example; "They claimed on the maximum allowable amount"
4: lay claim to; as of an idea; "She took credit for the whole idea" [syn: take] [ant: disclaim]
5: take as an undesirable consequence of some event or state of affairs; "the accident claimed three lives"; "The hard work took its toll on her" [syn: take, exact]

Based on WordNet 2.0

Claim : \Claim\, v. i. To be entitled to anything; to deduce a right or title; to have a claim.

We must know how the first ruler, from whom any one claims, came by his authority. --Locke.

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

Claim : \Claim\, n. [Of. claim cry, complaint, from clamer. See Claim, v. t.] 1. A demand of a right or supposed right; a calling on another for something due or supposed to be due; an assertion of a right or fact.

2. A right to claim or demand something; a title to any debt, privilege, or other thing in possession of another; also, a title to anything which another should give or concede to, or confer on, the claimant. ``A bar to all claims upon land.'' --Hallam.

3. The thing claimed or demanded; that (as land) to which any one intends to establish a right; as a settler's claim; a miner's claim. [U.S. & Australia]

4. A loud call. [Obs.] --Spenser

To lay claim to, to demand as a right. ``Doth he lay claim to thine inheritance?'' --Shak.

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

Claim : \Claim\ (kl[=a]m), v.?. [imp. & p. p. Claimed (kl[=a]md); p. pr. & vb. n. Claiming.] [OE. clamen, claimen, OF. clamer, fr. L. clamare to cry out, call; akin to calare to proclaim, Gr. ? to call, Skr. kal to sound, G. holen to fetch, E. hale haul.] 1. To ask for, or seek to obtain, by virtue of authority, right, or supposed right; to challenge as a right; to demand as due.

2. To proclaim. [Obs.] --Spenser.

3. To call or name. [Obs.] --Spenser.

4. To assert; to maintain. [Colloq.]

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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