seisin

[ see-zin ]

nounLaw.

(originally) possession of either land or chattel.
the kind of possession or right to possession characteristic of estates of freehold.

Origin of seisin

First recorded in1250–1300; Middle English, from Old French saisine, equivalent to sais(ir) “to take, seize” + -ine noun suffix; see origin at seize, -in(e)²

Sometimes sei·zin .

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use seisin in a sentence

This is of more value than a score of prisoners, although there's far less satisfaction in seizin' it.
The Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley | James Otis
This was the transferring of land under the old ceremony of the livery of seizin, a feudal ceremony.
The Historical Child | Oscar Chrisman
Sussex, and others, to deliver seizin of all his lands in Sussex to certain persons therein named.
Notes & Queries 1850.01.19 | Various
Th' bailiffs dhrove out in squads, seizin' cattle an' turnin' people into th' r-road.
Mr. Dooley in Peace and in War | Finley Peter Dunne
There were some formal rites attending the transfer of the land and the ancient "livery of seizin" ceremony was duly enacted.
Legends of Loudoun | Harrison Williams

British Dictionary definitions for seisin

seisin

US seizin

/ (ˈsiːzɪn) /

noun

property law feudal possession of an estate in land

Origin of seisin

C13: from Old French seisine, from seisir to seize

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

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