A modern dictionary of Catholic terms, both common and obscure. Find accurate definitions of words and phrases.
The taking of something that belongs to no one, with manifest intention of holding it as one's own. This implies that an object is not actually owned by anyone, as a piece of land, but is capable of being owned. It also implies that the occupant must take the thing with the purpose of making it his or her own, and moreover makes this intent known to others by some suitable sign to indicate intent of acquiring the property.
All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.