squatter
1
7.1
- noun
- /ˈskwɒtər/
- Archaic
:
colono
- The private owner faced tremendous social pressure against violently removing thousands of squatters, and many expected him to offer titles to squatters as a political ploy.
- squatters on land
Examples
-
After living on the unused government land for five years, she finally claimed her squatter rights and applied for legal ownership.
-
He became a squatter on the vacant lot with the hope of one day officially owning the property.
-
In other words, they are considered squatters on state land.
Academic text (2011) -
Now they had squatters' rights, and were considered part of the traditional local color.
Fiction book (2001) -
When are squatters given legitimacy?
Blog text (30) -
They suggest that the title deed, of course, gives squatters security, which allows them to invest more in their homes.
Blog text (27) -
Jesusa's attitude toward him remains negative, even though Cardenas ultimately does give the squatters some land.
Academic text (1998) -
Our pioneering squatters and prospectors blazed the trails which Cobb and Co. turned into the roads of Australia.
Blog text (15) -
Even when the owner can demonstrate satisfactorily to the courts possession of a legal title, the owner must reimburse the squatter for the "improvements" (forest destruction), including wages.
Academic text (2002) -
According to the Spanish legal code, settlers could acquire land by peacefully and continuously occupying the land for at least ten years, after which the squatter could then petition the Crown for a title (Augelli 1987).
Academic text (2002)
Synonyms
7
6.9
A person who moves to empty land and works it so the government lets them own it
A person who lives on public land to try to gain ownership
A person who claims public land first and then buys it under old laws
Antonyms
How Lawful
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Squatter also came to mean a person who settles on unused public land hoping to gain title, still from squat 'to crouch' and the idea of someone who starts living in a place. In many places, a squatter could become the legal owner after staying, improving the land, or meeting certain rules, which is why the word can mean lawful settlement in some countries.