claim

v. i. To be entitled to anything; to deduce a right or title; to have a claim. [ 1913 Webster ]

We must know how the first ruler, from whom any one claims, came by his authority. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 ]

a. Capable of being claimed. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. OF. clamant, p. pr. of clamer. Cf. Clamant. ] One who claims; one who asserts a right or title; a claimer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who claims; a claimant. [ 1913 Webster ]