'To lay claim to' definitions:
Definition of 'To lay claim to'
From: GCIDE
- 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. [1913 Webster]
- 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. [1913 Webster]
- 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] [1913 Webster]
- 4. A loud call. [Obs.] --Spenser [1913 Webster]
- To lay claim to, to demand as a right. "Doth he lay claim to thine inheritance?" --Shak. [1913 Webster]