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expropriate

verb

/ɪksˈprəʊprɪeɪt/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of expropriate

To take property or assets from someone, often with little or no compensation, and transfer ownership to another entity or individual.
"The government plans to expropriate the land for a new highway."

Detailed meaning of expropriate

It refers to a situation where a government or other authority takes control of privately owned land, businesses, or other assets, typically for public use or benefit. Expropriation may occur for a variety of reasons, such as urban development, resource extraction, or national security. The term 'expropriate' can also be used more broadly to describe any situation where someone takes something that belongs to someone else without their consent, such as intellectual property or ideas. Overall, the term 'expropriate' is used to describe the act of taking property or assets from someone, often with little or no compensation, and transferring ownership to another entity or individual.

Example sentences containing expropriate

1. The government plans to expropriate private properties to make way for the new freeway.
2. If you don't pay your taxes, the authorities may expropriate your house.
3. The ruling party decided to expropriate large farms to redistribute land to the poor.
4. Critics argue that such a move would essentially expropriate the assets of small businesses.
5. They will expropriate your intellectual property if you don't guard it carefully.
6. The law allows the municipality to expropriate land for public use.

History and etymology of expropriate

The verb 'expropriate' has its etymological origins in Latin and French. It is formed from the Latin prefix 'ex' (meaning 'out of' or 'away from') and the Latin word 'proprius' (meaning 'one's own' or 'property'). In Latin, 'expropriare' meant to deprive someone of their property or take something away from them. This concept was later adopted into Old French as 'exproprier.' Over time, it evolved into the modern English term 'expropriate,' which signifies the act of taking property or assets from someone, often with little or no compensation, and transferring ownership to another entity or individual. The etymology of 'expropriate' reflects its historical association with the authoritative action of taking property away from its owner for various reasons, such as public interest or government control.

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Further usage examples of expropriate

1. The corporation sought to expropriate local resources without compensating the community.
2. The government may expropriate your car if it's used for illegal activities.
3. The court authorized the bank to expropriate the defaulter's properties.
4. They threatened to expropriate her artwork without proper recompense.
5. If the state decides to expropriate your land, you will be given fair compensation.
6. The regime used its power to expropriate private industry without just cause.
7. Protesters demanded the government not to expropriate indigenous lands.
8. If they expropriate our assets overseas, we will have to close our operations.
9. The mayor proposed to expropriate the old factory for a new school.
10. Some fear that the new policy could expropriate individual savings.
11. To build the new park, the city plans to expropriate several downtown properties.
12. The proposed bill would expropriate private healthcare facilities under specific conditions.
13. The king decided to expropriate all the gold mines for the crown.
14. The reform will allow the state to expropriate private investments in certain sectors.