If someone claimed a lost watch, is it necessarily true that he took it? Or did he simply ask for it? The word "claim" seems to have multiple definitions.
The police said John claimed the watch.
I'd appreciate your help.
If someone claimed a lost watch, is it necessarily true that he took it? Or did he simply ask for it? The word "claim" seems to have multiple definitions.
The police said John claimed the watch.
I'd appreciate your help.
The word claim has three basic connotations. The first is to make an assertion of the truth of a statement:
[1] He claimed he saw a ghost
The second and third are declarations of ownership. Of these, the former states a demand of ownership based on right;
[2a] He claimed the watch was his because his father had bequeathed it to him.
the latter asserts both ownership and actual possession:
[2b] He landed on the island and claimed it for the King.
Without knowing more about the procedures for lost or stolen property, you can't tell whether your hypothetical visitor to the police was allowed to walk off with the watch (2b) or whether he had to be satisfied with merely filing a claim for it (2a).