seize

present singular third person seizes · participle present seizing · participle past seized · past seized

1. transitiveTo deliberately take hold of; to grab or capture.

   Synonyms: clasp, grasp, grip, beclasp, begrasp, begrip, belock, clasp

2. transitiveTo take advantage of (an opportunity or circumstance).

   Synonyms: jump on

3. transitiveTo take possession of (by force, law etc.).

   to seize smuggled goods

   1 more example

   to seize a ship after libeling

   Synonyms: attach, arrogate, commandeer, confiscate, impress

4. transitiveTo have a sudden and powerful effect upon.

   a fever seized him

   2 more examples

   a panic seized the crowd

   This sensation of an object becoming alive is a characteristic that, I believe, seizes all viewers of a van Gogh. The Bible goes beyond being a simple still-life object to become a living thing, an expression of strength, an existence that emanates from itself, beyond the painting surface to participate in our very lives.

   2010, Antonio Saggio, A Secret van Gogh: His Motif and Motives, →ISBN, page 11

5. alternativetransitivelawAlternative spelling of seise (“to vest ownership of an estate in land”).
6. transitivenauticalTo bind, lash or make fast, with several turns of small rope, cord, or small line.

   to seize two fish-hooks back to back

   1 more example

   to seize or stop one rope on to another

7. obsoletetransitiveTo fasten, fix.
8. intransitiveTo lay hold in seizure, by hands or claws (+ on or upon).

   to seize on the neck of a horse

   1 more example

   The text which had seized upon his heart with such comfort and strength abode upon him for more than a year.

   1830, Robert Southey, Bunyan, page 21

9. intransitiveTo have a seizure.

   Nearing what she thought was a climax, he started seizing and fell off her. Later, realizing he was dead, she became alarmed and dragged the body to his vehicle to make it look like he had died in his truck.

   2012, Daniel M. Avery, Tales of a Country Obstetrician

10. intransitiveTo bind or lock in position immovably; see also seize up.

    Rust caused the engine to seize, never to run again.

11. UKintransitiveTo submit for consideration to a deliberative body.
12. law[with of] To cause (an action or matter) to be or remain before (a certain judge or court).

    This Court will remain seized of this matter.

13. ambitransitivecookingOf chocolate: to change suddenly from a fluid to an undesirably hard and gritty texture.

    Chocolate seizes if a small amount of water (or watery liquid such as brandy) finds its way into the chocolate while it is melting. […] If chocolate seizes, it will look grainy and matte rather than glossy and smooth.

    2012, Martha Holmberg, Modern Sauces: More Than 150 Recipes for Every Cook, Every Day, page 235