seize

[ seez ]

/ siz /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR seize

verb (used with object), seized, seiz·ing.

to take hold of suddenly or forcibly; grasp: to seize a weapon.

to grasp mentally; understand clearly and completely: to seize an idea.

to take possession of by force or at will: to seize enemy ships.

to take possession or control of as if by suddenly laying hold: Panic seized the crowd.

to take possession of by legal authority; confiscate: to seize smuggled goods.

Also seise. Law. to put (someone) in seizin or legal possession of property (usually used in passive constructions): She was seized of vast estates.

to capture; take into custody.

to take advantage of promptly: to seize an opportunity.

Nautical. to bind or fasten together with a seizing.

verb (used without object), seized, seiz·ing.

to grab or take hold suddenly or forcibly (usually followed by on or upon): to seize on a rope.

to resort to a method, plan, etc., in desperation (usually followed by on or upon): He must seize on a solution, however risky.

to have moving parts bind and stop moving as a result of excessive pressure, temperature, or friction (usually followed by up): The engine seized up from cold.

to have a seizure, as of epilepsy: He seized for about five minutes and then lost consciousness.

(of melted chocolate) to become grainy and clumpy from overheating or from contact with a small amount of moisture (often followed by up): If the butter is too cold, the frosting will seize.

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You may have read the word "simmer" in a recipe or two, but what does it really mean?

To cook in water that begins cold and then reaches a boil.

To stew in a sauce for a long time.

To cook in water, just below boiling temperature.

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Origin of seize

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English saisen, seisen, from Old French saisir, from Medieval Latin sacīre “to place” (in phrase sacīre ad propriētam “to take as one's own, lay claim to”), from Frankish, perhaps akin to Gothic satjan “to set, put, place”; see set

SYNONYMS FOR seize

1 clutch, grab.

7 arrest, apprehend.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR seize

ANTONYMS FOR seize

7 release.

SEE ANTONYMS FOR seize

synonym study for seize

7. See catch.

OTHER WORDS FROM seize

seiz·a·ble, adjectiveseiz·er; Law. sei·zor

[see-zer, -zawr], /ˈsi zər, -zɔr/, nounre·seize, verb (used with object), re·seized, re·seiz·ing.un·seiz·a·ble, adjective

un·seized, adjective

Words nearby seize

seismonasty, seismoscope, seitan, SEIU, sei whale, seize, seize on, seize up, seizing, seizure, seizure disorder

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for seize

They tried to seize funds that were raised for his legal defense.
Sentencing Looms for Barrett Brown, Advocate for “Anonymous”|Kevin M. Gallagher|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Patriot Act allows the Department of Justice to seize foreign bank assets in U.S. accounts.
Special Forces’ $77M ‘Hustler’ Hits Back|Kevin Maurer|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Whether they will seize the moment, or play the same old politics as usual, remains to be seen.
How a GOP Senate Can Help the Poor|Veronique de Rugy|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Imagine being an Iraq vet who lost friends securing a place such as Fallujah only to see ISIS now seize it.
It’s Time for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans to Get a Parade of Their Own|Michael Daly|November 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

But, in its own way, it was just another “big” moment, and he had to seize it.
Jeff Daniels Defends Aaron Sorkin and the ‘Dumb and Dumber’ Toilet Scene|Kevin Fallon|November 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She was always waiting, even always expecting, ready to take her chance, with arm out-stretched to seize Occasion by the forelock.
Sophy of Kravonia|Anthony Hope
I heard she would be here to-night and all to-morrow forenoon, and came down to seize the opportunity.
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, v. 1(of 2)|Charles Dickens
Perhaps the king had got information of the wealth contained in the ship, and intended to seize her.
Antony Waymouth|W.H.G. Kingston
Out went the candle, and each one rushed away with as much of the feast as she could seize in her haste.
An Old-fashioned Girl|Louisa May Alcott
He thought he saw a serpent of the hydra kind, with nine heads, ready to seize him.
The Little Gleaner, Vol. X.|Various

British Dictionary definitions for seize

seize

/ (siːz) /

verb (mainly tr)

(also intr foll by on ) to take hold of quickly; grabshe seized her hat and ran for the bus

(sometimes foll by on or upon) to grasp mentally, esp rapidlyshe immediately seized his idea

to take mental possession ofalarm seized the crowd

to take possession of rapidly and forciblythe thief seized the woman's purse

to take legal possession of; take into custody

to take by force or capturethe army seized the undefended town

to take immediate advantage ofto seize an opportunity

nautical to bind (two ropes together or a piece of gear to a rope)See also serve (def. 19)

(intr often foll by up) (of mechanical parts) to become jammed, esp because of excessive heat

(passive usually foll by of) to be apprised of; conversant with

the usual US spelling of seise

Derived forms of seize

seizable, adjective

Word Origin for seize

C13 saisen, from Old French saisir, from Medieval Latin sacīre to position, of Germanic origin; related to Gothic satjan to set 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for seize

seize

[ sēz ]

v.

To exhibit symptoms of seizure activity, usually with convulsions.

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seize

verb (used with object), seized, seiz·ing.

verb (used without object), seized, seiz·ing.

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Origin of seize

SYNONYMS FOR seize

ANTONYMS FOR seize

synonym study for seize

OTHER WORDS FROM seize

Words nearby seize

Example sentences from the Web for seize

British Dictionary definitions for seize

verb (mainly tr)

Derived forms of seize

Word Origin for seize

Medical definitions for seize

v.

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

seize

verb (used with object), seized, seiz·ing.

verb (used without object), seized, seiz·ing.

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Origin of seize

SYNONYMS FOR seize

ANTONYMS FOR seize

synonym study for seize

OTHER WORDS FROM seize

Words nearby seize

Words related to seize

Example sentences from the Web for seize

British Dictionary definitions for seize

verb (mainly tr)

Derived forms of seize

Word Origin for seize

Medical definitions for seize

v.