seize suddenly

  • 1seize — W3 [si:z] v [T] [Date: 1200 1300; : Old French; Origin: saisir to take possession of , from Medieval Latin sacire] 1.) to take hold of something suddenly and violently = ↑grab ▪ Suddenly he seized my hand. seize sth from sb ▪ Maggie sei …

    Dictionary of contemporary English

  • 2Seize — 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 …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 3seize — [ siz ] verb transitive ** 1. ) to take something using official power and force: CONFISCATE: Customs officials have seized 100 pounds of cocaine. Action was taken to seize criminal assets valued at $200 million. a ) to take control of a place or …

    Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • 4seize — [sēz] vt. seized, seizing [ME saisen < OFr saisir < ML sacire, prob. < Frank * sakjan, to lay claim to one s rights < IE base * sāg > SAKE1] 1. a) Historical to put in legal possession of a feudal holding b) to put in legal… …

    English World dictionary

  • 5seize — ► VERB 1) take hold of suddenly and forcibly. 2) take forcible possession of. 3) (of the police or another authority) take possession of by warrant or legal right. 4) take (an opportunity) eagerly and decisively. 5) (seize on/upon) take eager… …

    English terms dictionary

  • 6seize on something — ˈseize on/upon sth derived to suddenly show a lot of interest in sth, especially because you can use it to your advantage Syn: pounce on/upon • The rumours were eagerly seized upon by the local press. • Peter seized on her last comment …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 7seize upon something — ˈseize on/upon sth derived to suddenly show a lot of interest in sth, especially because you can use it to your advantage Syn: pounce on/upon • The rumours were eagerly seized upon by the local press. • Peter seized on her last comment …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 8seize — verb 1 take hold of sb/sth suddenly and firmly ADVERB ▪ immediately, suddenly ▪ He was immediately seized and thrown into prison. PREPOSITION ▪ by ▪ She sei …

    Collocations dictionary

  • 9seize — 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 …

    Universalium

  • 10seize — [c]/siz / (say seez) verb (seized, seizing) –verb (t) 1. to lay hold of suddenly or forcibly; grasp: to seize a weapon. 2. to grasp with the mind: to seize an idea. 3. to take possession of by force or at will: to seize enemy ships. 4. to take… …