What is "to lay claim to"

Claim \Claim\, n. [Of. claim cry, complaint, from clamer. See Claim, v. t.]

1. A demand of a right or supposed right; a calling on another for something due or supposed to be due; an assertion of a right or fact.

2. A right to claim or demand something; a title to any debt, privilege, or other thing in possession of another; also, a title to anything which another should give or concede to, or confer on, the claimant. ``A bar to all claims upon land.''
   --Hallam.

3. The thing claimed or demanded; that (as land) to which any one intends to establish a right;; as, a settler's claim; a miner's claim. [U.S. & Australia]

4. A loud call. [Obs.]
   --Spenser

   To lay claim to, to demand as a right. ``Doth he lay claim to thine inheritance?''
   --Shak.