Wordnet 3.0
VERB (1)
1. 
 demand as being one's due or property; 
 assert one's right or title to; 
- Example: "He claimed his suitcases at the airline counter"- Example: "Mr. Smith claims special tax exemptions because he is a foreign resident"[syn: claim, lay claim, arrogate]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
lay claim
    v 1: demand as being one's due or property; assert one's right
         or title to; "He claimed his suitcases at the airline
         counter"; "Mr. Smith claims special tax exemptions because
         he is a foreign resident" [syn: claim, lay claim,
         arrogate] [ant: forego, forfeit, forgo, give up,
         throw overboard, waive]