seize🔊

To deliberately take hold of; to grab or capture. +

To take advantage of (an opportunity or circumstance). +

To take possession of (by force, law etc.). +

To have a sudden and powerful effect upon.

(law) To vest ownership of an estate in land. +

(nautical) To bind, lash or make fast, with several turns of small rope, cord, or small line.

(obsolete) To fasten, fix.

To lay hold in seizure, by hands or claws.

To have a seizure.

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

(UK) To submit for consideration to a deliberative body.

(law) To cause (an action or matter) to be or remain before (a certain judge or court).

(cooking) Of chocolate: to change suddenly from a fluid to an undesirably hard and gritty texture.