seizing

[ see-zing ]

/ ˈsi zɪŋ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR seizing ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act of a person or thing that seizes.

Nautical. a means of binding or fastening together two objects, as two ropes, or parts of the same rope, by a number of longitudinal and transverse turns of marline, wire, or other small stuff.

Nearby words

Origin of seizing

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50; see origin at seize, -ing¹

Definition for seizing (2 of 2)

seize

[ seez ]

/ siz /

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.

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.

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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 seizing

But Beyoncé has been nothing if not a master of seizing her own crisis management.
Beyonce’s New “7/11” and “Ring Off” Will Give You Reason to Live (And Dance)|Kevin Fallon|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Seizing Mariupol would be a major blow to Ukraine, which had been winning the war in the east in recent months.
Defying NATO, Ignoring Ceasefire, Russian-Backed Troops Keep Rolling|Ted Phillips|September 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Seizing on this scene, critics called the novel “an allegory of our violent times.”
American Dreams: A Best-Selling Pint-Sized Psychopath|Nathaniel Rich|June 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
ISIS says it killed at least 1,700 people after seizing the city of Mosul two weeks ago.
Why ISIS Won’t Take Baghdad|Jamie Dettmer|June 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The seizing of an American reporter was only a matter of time, and the bespectacled and disheveled Ostrovsky was a prime target.
Putin’s Men in Ukraine Seize U.S. Journalist|Jamie Dettmer|April 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The group is composed of an American Hunter, in the act of seizing an Indian who was about to tomahawk a mother and her infant.
The International Monthly, Volume 4, No. 2, September, 1851|Various
David, seizing the opportunity, deposited his reserve of lozenges in the ground and hastily swept some earth over them.
Brother Jacob|George Eliot
Henry Myers rushed on Cassi again and, seizing him in his powerful arms, threw him with great force on the floor.
Belford's Magazine, Vol 2, December 1888|Various
Seizing the instrument, he clapped it to his lips, and blew a clarion call.
The Boy Scouts' First Camp Fire|Herbert Carter
In another moment all but the Master and Dorothy had left the room, and seizing this opportunity he called her to him.
Dorothy's House Party|Evelyn Raymond

British Dictionary definitions for seizing (1 of 2)

seizing

/ (ˈsiːzɪŋ) /

noun

nautical a binding used for holding together two ropes, two spars, etc, esp by lashing with a separate rope

British Dictionary definitions for seizing (2 of 2)

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 seizing

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.

seizing

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of seizing

Definition for seizing (2 of 2)

seize

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

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

Origin of seize

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for seizing

British Dictionary definitions for seizing (1 of 2)

seizing

noun

British Dictionary definitions for seizing (2 of 2)

seize

verb (mainly tr)

Word Origin for seize

Word Origin and History for seizing

seize