appropriation

 
Pronunciation: /əˌprəʊprɪˈeɪʃ(ə)n/

noun

  • 1 [mass noun] the action of appropriating something: dishonest appropriation of property
  • the deliberate reworking of images and styles from earlier, well-known works of art: the hallmark of postmodernism has turned out to be appropriation
  • 2a sum of money allocated officially for a particular use: success in obtaining appropriations for projects [as modifier]: the appropriation accounts

Origin:

late Middle English: from late Latin appropriatio(n-), from appropriare 'make one's own' (see appropriate)