seize

[ seez ]

/ siz /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR seize ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

Nearby words

Origin of seize

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

SYNONYMS FOR seize

1. clutch, grab. 7. arrest, apprehend.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR seize ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR seize

7. release.

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Related forms

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

Synonym study

7. See catch.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples 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 Formsseizable, 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

Word Origin and History for seize

seize

mid-13c., from Old French seisir "to take possession of, take by force; put in possession of, bestow upon" (Modern French saisir), from Late Latin sacire, which is generally held to be from a Germanic source, but the exact origin is uncertain. Perhaps from Frankish *sakjan "lay claim to" (cf. Gothic sokjan, Old English secan "to seek;" see seek). Or perhaps from Proto-Germanic *satjan "to place" (see set (v.)).

Originally a legal term in reference to feudal property holdings or offices. Meaning "to grip with the hands or teeth" is from c.1300; that of "to take possession by force or capture" (of a city, etc.) is from mid-14c. Figurative use, with reference to death, disease, fear, etc. is from late 14c. Meaning "to grasp with the mind" is attested from 1855. Of engines or other mechanisms, attested from 1878. Related: Seized; seizing.