Emily Dickinson Lexicon

claim (-ed, -s), v. [OFr < L. clāmā-re, cry out, call, proclaim, declare aloud, call upon.] (webplay: ask, call, demand, make, obtain, power, rank, right, seek, services, suit, upon).

1. Espouse; acquire by legal contract; [fig.] kill; cause to die; take the life of.
2. Demand; call for; sue for; take as one's own; apply to have on legal grounds; [fig.] earn; achieve; attain; reach; accomplish; arrive at.