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seize  audio  (sz) KEY 

VERB:
seized, seiz·ing, seiz·es
VERB:
tr.
  1. To grasp suddenly and forcibly; take or grab: seize a sword.
    1. To grasp with the mind; apprehend: seize an idea and develop it to the fullest extent.
    2. To possess oneself of (something): seize an opportunity.
    1. To have a sudden overwhelming effect on: a heinous crime that seized the minds and emotions of the populace.
    2. To overwhelm physically: a person who was seized with a terminal disease.
  2. To take into custody; capture.
  3. To take quick and forcible possession of; confiscate: seize a cache of illegal drugs.
  4. also seise  (sz) KEY 
    1. To put (one) into possession of something.
    2. To vest ownership of a feudal property in.
  5. Nautical To bind (a rope) to another, or to a spar, with turns of small line.
VERB:
intr.
  1. To lay sudden or forcible hold of.
    1. To cohere or fuse with another part as a result of high pressure or temperature and restrict or prevent further motion or flow.
    2. To come to a halt: The talks seized up and were rescheduled.
  2. To exhibit symptoms of seizure activity, usually with convulsions.

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English seisen, from Old French seisir, to take possession, of Germanic origin

OTHER FORMS:
seiza·ble(Adjective), seizer(Noun)


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