• Dictionary
  • List of exercises
  • Exercises by level

Meaning of seize in English

  1. Pronunciation

    /siz/

    US accent Play buttonYour browser does not support the audio element.

    How to pronounce seize in American English, in context ▾
    Use the controls below Controls button to browse different examples of pronunciation.

    UK accent Play buttonYour browser does not support the audio element.

    How to pronounce seize in British English, in context ▾
    Use the controls below Controls button to browse different examples of pronunciation.
  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 »

Navigation

    Books Teacher Resources About Contact

Lessons

    Beginner Intermediate Advanced
© 2021, NAGEL PTY LTD 🇦🇺 • Terms • Privacy