Literary notes about commandeer (AI summary)
In literary works, "commandeer" is deployed to evoke a sense of assertive, often unauthorized, appropriation that spans both serious and whimsical scenarios. It can denote the forcible seizure of vital resources during wartime—for instance, the taking of foodstuffs and raw materials to support an industrial effort ([1])—or be used in lighter, more personal contexts, such as seizing a taxi in a moment of necessity ([2]) or even humorously laying claim to someone’s belongings ([3]). The word’s versatility is further illustrated in settings ranging from high-stakes military logistics, where entire banks or fleets are commandeered ([4]), to the comical, everyday reappropriation of objects, thereby underscoring themes of authority, survival, and resourcefulness across diverse narratives.
- The Germans proceeded to commandeer foodstuffs and raw materials of industry.
— from History of the World War: An Authentic Narrative of the World's Greatest War by Richard Joseph Beamish - But time went on, and there was no sign of any car, so at 8.15 I was sent off on the same old bike to commandeer the first taxi I came across.
— from From Dartmouth to the Dardanelles: A Midshipman's Log by Wolston B. C. W. (Wolston Beaumont Charles Weld) Forester - Let's go and see if they're still there, and commandeer what we like." "Gerda, you're a genius!" shrieked Annie.
— from The School by the Sea by Angela Brazil - They proceeded to levy upon, to appropriate and to commandeer their capital from the National Banks of the United States.
— from The Federal Reserve Monster
