kleɪm v. & n. --v.tr. 1 a (often foll. by
that + clause)
demand as one's
due or
property. b (usu. absol.)
submit a
request for payment under an
insurance policy. 2 a
represent oneself as having or achieving (claim
victory; claim accuracy). b (foll. by to + infin.)
profess (claimed to be
the owner). c
assert,
contend (claim that
one knows). 3
have as an
achievement or a
consequence (could
then claim
five wins; the
fire claimed
many victims). 4 (of a thing)
deserve (one's
attention etc.). --n. 1 a a demand or request for
something considered one's due (lay claim
to; put in a claim). b an
application for
compensation under the terms of an insurance policy. 2 (foll. by to, on) a
right or
title to a
thing (his
only claim to
fame; have many claims on my time). 3 a
contention or
assertion. 4 a thing claimed. 5 a
statement of the novel features in a
patent. 6 Mining a
piece of
land allotted or taken. øno claim (or claims)
bonus a
reduction of an insurance
premium after an agreed
period without a claim under the terms of the policy. øøclaimable adj. claimer n. [ME f. OF claime f. clamer
call out f. L clamare]
