seized

[seezd]

adjective

1. taken hold, possession, or control of, as by force or legal authority; confiscated, captured, or appropriated.

   Police say the seized property includes knives, computer equipment, a balaclava, and military clothing.

   Settlers were observed planting olive trees on illegally seized land.

2. (of an opportunity) taken advantage of promptly.

   Everything that Mom and I had accomplished was rooted firmly in the soil of hard work and seized opportunities.

3. (of moving parts) locked or jammed, as from excessive friction (often followed byup ).

   I gladly pay top dollar for lubricants and fluids, because I know it's far more expensive to have to rebuild a seized engine!

4. having ceased to function; having come to a halt (often followed byup ).

   Businesses need to access credit lines to function, but now the credit market is totally seized up.

5. fully understood; mentally grasped.

   People who need cognitive closure will absorb a statement early in the process of acquiring knowledge, "freeze" on that seized idea, and resist further information.

6. (of melted chocolate) grainy and clumpy from overheating or from contact with a small amount of moisture.

   To reverse the reaction, add more liquid, but just enough to dissolve most of the sugar and cocoa particles in the seized chocolate clumps.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of seize.

Other Word Forms

• unseized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of seized¹

seize ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

In return, she agrees that Bird Island will support two Tongan princes in their battle against their uncle, who has seized power.

From Los Angeles Times

Opponents of Proposition 50, who have been swamped in fundraising by their rivals, seized upon the error as proof that the measure was hastily placed on the ballot.

From Los Angeles Times

Fritz twice required treatment to his left thigh before returning for the second and Alcaraz seized the opportunity to pile on the pressure.

From BBC

On Sept. 17, detectives served a search warrant at the home in the upscale neighborhood on Doheny Drive, where law enforcement sources with knowledge of the case said several electronic items, including computers, were seized.

From Los Angeles Times

It follows an intelligence-led raid on a residential apartment on the outskirts of the capital, Nairobi, where officers seized recruitment materials, travel documents, and job offer letters.

From BBC

Related Words

• captured www.thesaurus.com