catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  Seize \Seize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Seized; p. pr. & vb. n.
     Seizing.] [OE. seisen, saisen, OF. seisir, saisir, F.
     saisir, of Teutonic origin, and akin to E. set. The meaning
     is properly, to set, put, place, hence, to put in possession
     of. See Set, v. t.]
     1. To fall or rush upon suddenly and lay hold of; to gripe or
        grasp suddenly; to reach and grasp.
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              For by no means the high bank he could seize.
                                                    --Spenser.
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              Seek you to seize and gripe into your hands
              The royalties and rights of banished Hereford?
                                                    --Shak.
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     2. To take possession of by force.
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              At last they seize
              The scepter, and regard not David's sons. --Milton.
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     3. To invade suddenly; to take sudden hold of; to come upon
        suddenly; as, a fever seizes a patient.
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              Hope and deubt alternate seize her seul. --Pope.
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     4. (law) To take possession of by virtue of a warrant or
        other legal authority; as, the sheriff seized the debtor's
        goods.
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     5. To fasten; to fix. [Obs.]
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              As when a bear hath seized her cruel claws
              Upon the carcass of some beast too weak. --Spenser.
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     6. To grap with the mind; to comprehend fully and distinctly;
        as, to seize an idea.
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     7. (Naut.) To bind or fasten together with a lashing of small
        stuff, as yarn or marline; as, to seize ropes.
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     Note: This word, by writers on law, is commonly written
           seise, in the phrase to be seised of (an estate), as
           also, in composition, disseise, disseisin.
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     To be seized of, to have possession, or right of
        possession; as, A B was seized and possessed of the manor
        of Dale. ``Whom age might see seized of what youth made
        prize.'' --Chapman.
  
     To seize on or To seize upon, to fall on and grasp; to
        take hold on; to take possession of suddenly and forcibly.
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     Syn: To catch; grasp; clutch; snatch; apprehend; arrest;
          take; capture.
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     2. To take possession of by force.
  
              At last they seize The scepter, and regard not
              David's sons.                         --Milton.
  
     3. To invade suddenly; to take sudden hold of; to come upon
        suddenly; as, a fever seizes a patient.
  
              Hope and deubt alternate seize her seul. --Pope.
  
     4. (law) To take possession of by virtue of a warrant or
        other legal authority; as, the sheriff seized the debtor's
        goods.
  
     5. To fasten; to fix. [Obs.]
  
              As when a bear hath seized her cruel claws Upon the
              carcass of some beast too weak.       --Spenser.
  
     6. To grap with the mind; to comprehend fully and distinctly;
        as, to seize an idea.
  
     7. (Naut.) To bind or fasten together with a lashing of small
        stuff, as yarn or marline; as, to seize ropes.
  
     Note: This word, by writers on law, is commonly written
           seise, in the phrase to be seised of (an estate), as
           also, in composition, disseise, disseisin.
  
     To be seized of, to have possession, or right of
        possession; as, A B was seized and possessed of the manor
        of Dale. ``Whom age might see seized of what youth made
        prize.'' --Chapman.
  
     To seize on or upon, to fall on and grasp; to take hold
        on; to take possession of suddenly and forcibly.
  
     Syn: To catch; grasp; clutch; snatch; apprehend; arrest;
          take; capture.