Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CLAIM, v.t. [L. clamo, to cry out, to call upon; It. clamare, or chiamare; Port. clamar; Sp. llamar; Sax. hlemman; Sw. glamma; Ir. glamaim.]

1. To call for; to ask or seek to obtain, by virtue of authority, right or supposed right; to challenge as a right; to demand as due; as, to claim a debt; to claim obedience or respect.
2. To assert, or maintain as a right; as, he claims to be the best poet of the age.
3. To have a right or title to; as, the heir claims the estate by descent; he claims a promise.
4. To proclaim. [Obs.] Spenser.
5. To call or name. [Obs.]