To lay claim to

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.
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   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.
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   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]
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   4. A loud call. [Obs.] --Spenser
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   {To lay claim to}, to demand as a right. "Doth he lay claim
      to thine inheritance?" --Shak.
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