commandeer v : take arbitrarily or by force; "The Cubans commandeered the plane and flew it to Miami" [syn: hijack, highjack, pirate]

English

Verb

1. To seize for military use
2. To force into military service
3. To take arbitrarily or by force

See also

• appropriate

Commandeering is an act of appropriation by the military or police whereby they take possession of the property of a member of the public. The most common use of the term is when police commandeer vehicles – a popular plot element in films, particularly those involving car chases.

See also

• Posse comitatus

External links

• "Can cops really commandeer cars?" at Straight Dope, 25 April 2006
• "Maybe You Can Drive My Car" at Urban Legends Reference Pages, 6 August 2001

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