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Dispossession - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Dispossession refers to the act of depriving someone of land, property, or rights, often forcibly. It can also describe the state of being stripped of possessions or belonging.

dispossession

/**American phonetic transcription:** ˌdɪs.pəˈzeʃ.ən/ /**British phonetic transcription:** ˌdɪs.pəˈzeʃ.ən/

Definition:

The act of depriving someone of land, property, or rights; forced removal or loss.

Synonyms:

Eviction, deprivation, expropriation, confiscation

Part of Speech:

Noun

Antonyms:

Possession, ownership, retention

Common Collocations:

Land dispossession, cultural dispossession, historical dispossession

Derivatives:

Dispossess (verb), dispossessed (adjective)

Usage Tips:

Use "dispossession" to describe legal or historical contexts where people lose property or rights involuntarily.

Common Phrases:

Dispossession of land, economic dispossession, spiritual dispossession

Etymology:

From Old French *despossesser*, meaning "to deprive of possession," influenced by Latin *dis-* and *possidere*.

Examples:

  • 1. The indigenous community suffered dispossession under colonial rule.
  • 2. Dispossession of farmers led to widespread protests against the government policy.
  • 3. The novel explores themes of identity and cultural dispossession among immigrants.
  • 4. Legal aid helps tenants fight unlawful dispossession by landlords seeking profit.

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