Meaning of seize in English

  1. Pronunciation

    /siz/

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  1. Verb

    seize

    Etymology

    Middle English: from Old French seizir‘give seisin’, from medieval Latin sacire, in the phrase ad proprium sacire‘claim as one's own’, from a Germanic base meaning ‘procedure’

    Definitions

    1. take hold of

    Examples

    • « grab »
    • « The salesclerk quickly seized the money on the counter »
    • « She clutched her purse »
    • « The mother seized her child by the arm »
    • « Birds of prey often seize small mammals »
  2. 2. take or capture by force

    Examples

    • « The terrorists seized the politicians »
    • « The rebels threaten to seize civilian hostages »
  3. 3. take possession of by force, as after an invasion

    Examples

    • « the invaders seized the land and property of the inhabitants »
    • « The army seized the town »
    • « The militia captured the castle »
  4. 4. take temporary possession of as a security, by legal authority

    Examples

    • « The FBI seized the drugs »
    • « The customs agents impounded the illegal shipment »
    • « The police confiscated the stolen artwork »
  5. 5. seize and take control without authority and possibly with force

    Examples

    • « take as one's right or possession »
    • « He assumed to himself the right to fill all positions in the town »
    • « he usurped my rights »
    • « She seized control of the throne after her husband died »
  6. 6. hook by a pull on the line

    Examples

    • « strike a fish »
  7. 7. affect

    Examples

    • « Fear seized the prisoners »
    • « The patient was seized with unberable pains »
    • « He was seized with a dreadful disease »
  8. 8. capture the attention or imagination of

    Examples

    • « This story will grab you »
    • « The movie seized my imagination »