expropriate
UK: ɪkˈsprəʊ.pri.eɪt | US: ɪkˈsproʊ.pri.eɪt
vt. to take away (property) from its owner, especially for public use or benefit
vt. to dispossess someone of ownership legally or forcibly
expropriate = ex<out> + propri<own> + ate<verb suffix>
- ex<out>: Latin prefix meaning "out of" or "away from."
- propri<own>: From Latin proprius (one's own), root of "property" and "appropriate."
- ate<verb suffix>: Forms verbs indicating action (e.g., "activate," "navigate").
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin expropriare (to deprive of property), combining ex- (out) + proprius (own). It entered English via Medieval Latin legal terminology, reflecting the concept of removing ownership—often for communal purposes. The morphemes logically align: ex- (separation) + propri- (ownership) + -ate (action).
The government may expropriate land to build highways.
Historical regimes often expropriated assets from minority groups.
The court ruled to expropriate the factory for environmental cleanup.
Critics argue that expropriating private property undermines economic freedom.
The law allows expropriation only with fair compensation.