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English Dictionary

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 seize seize /ˈsiːz/

verb

  1. () Take hold of; grab  ( prehend [Archaic] , seize , clutch )
    take hold of; grab
     The sales clerk quickly seized the money on the counter
    The sales clerk quickly seized the money on the counter
     She clutched her purse
    She clutched her purse
     The mother seized her child by the arm
    The mother seized her child by the arm
     Birds of prey often seize small mammals
    Birds of prey often seize small mammals
  2. () Take or capture by force  ( seize )
    take or capture by force
     The terrorists seized the politicians
    The terrorists seized the politicians
     The rebels threaten to seize civilian hostages
    The rebels threaten to seize civilian hostages
  3. () Take possession of by force, as after an invasion  ( appropriate , capture , conquer , seize )
    take possession of by force, as after an invasion
     The invaders seized the land and property of the inhabitants
    the invaders seized the land and property of the inhabitants
     The army seized the town
    The army seized the town
     The militia captured the castle
    The militia captured the castle
  4. () Take temporary possession of as a security, by legal authority  ( attach , impound , sequester , confiscate , seize )
    take temporary possession of as a security, by legal authority
     The FBI seized the drugs
    The FBI seized the drugs
     The customs agents impounded the illegal shipment
    The customs agents impounded the illegal shipment
     The police confiscated the stolen artwork
    The police confiscated the stolen artwork
  5. Capture the attention or imagination of  ( grab , seize )
    capture the attention or imagination of
     This story will grab you
    This story will grab you
     The movie seized my imagination
    The movie seized my imagination
  6. Affect  ( clutch , get hold of , seize )
    affect
     Fear seized the prisoners
    Fear seized the prisoners
     The patient was seized with unbearable pains
    The patient was seized with unbearable pains
     He was seized with a dreadful disease
    He was seized with a dreadful disease
  7. Hook by a pull on the line  ( seize )
    hook by a pull on the line
     Strike a fish
    strike a fish
  8. Seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession  ( arrogate , assume , seize , take over , usurp )
    seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession
     He assumed to himself the right to fill all positions in the town
    He assumed to himself the right to fill all positions in the town
     He usurped my rights
    he usurped my rights
     She seized control of the throne after her husband died
    She seized control of the throne after her husband died