— seizable , adj. — seizer; Law. seizor /see"zeuhr, -zawr/ , n.
/seez/ , v. , seized, seizing .
v.t.
1. to take hold of suddenly or forcibly; grasp: to seize a weapon.
2. to grasp mentally; understand clearly and completely: to seize an idea.
3. to take possession of by force or at will: to seize enemy ships.
4. to take possession or control of as if by suddenly laying hold: Panic seized the crowd.
5. to take possession of by legal authority; confiscate: to seize smuggled goods.
6. Also, seise . Law. to put (someone) in seizin or legal possession of property (usually used in passive constructions): She was seized of vast estates.
7. to capture; take into custody.
8. to take advantage of promptly: to seize an opportunity.
9. Naut. to bind or fasten together with a seizing.
v.i.
10. to grab or take hold suddenly or forcibly (usually fol. by on or upon ): to seize on a rope.
11. to resort to a method, plan, etc., in desperation (usually fol. by on or upon ): He must seize on a solution, however risky.
12. to have moving parts bind and stop moving as a result of excessive pressure, temperature, or friction (usually fol. by up ): The engine seized up from cold.
[ 1250-1300; ME saisen, seisen saisir sacire to place (in phrase sacire ad proprietam to take as one's own, lay claim to) satjan to SET, put, place ]
Syn. 1. clutch, grab. 7. arrest, apprehend. See catch .
Ant. 7. release.