seize
- 1To take possession of something by force, legal authority, or similar means.
Customs agents seized the shipment of counterfeit goods.
Governments may seize land for public projects under certain laws.
UsageSpelled ei: seize (not
incorrect: sieze). Goods are seized by police or customs.Similarconfiscate, commandeer, attach, arrogate
Note
The official's use, and the one closest to the word's legal origins. Customs seizes smuggled goods, and a ship may be seized once a libel, the opening pleading in an admiralty suit, has been filed against it.
Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- The possession sense reflects the word's legal origins. en.wikipedia.org
- Customs seizes smuggled goods. uscode.house.gov
- 2To make the most of an opportunity or advantageous circumstance as it arises.
The company seized the moment to expand into new markets.
Investors who seize emerging trends early often profit most.
UsageCommon with the chance, the opportunity or the moment; also seize the day.
- 3To take hold of someone or something suddenly and firmly, especially with the hands or claws.
She seized the rope and pulled herself up onto the ledge.
He lunged forward to seize her wrist before she could step off the curb.
UsageOften seize someone by the arm or wrist.
Similargrab, grasp, grip, clutch, snatch
Note
A word that began in court rather than in the hand. Clasp, grasp and grip all describe holding. Seize describes the deliberate act of taking, and it stretches to capture: soldiers can seize a bridge, but nobody could grip one.
Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 1 fact
- The word originated in legal possession terminology. en.wiktionary.org
- 4To have a sudden and powerful effect upon someone, as a strong emotion or sensation does.
Terror seized her the instant she heard the scream.
Doubt began to seize him as the deadline approached.
UsageThe feeling is the subject: fear seized her. In the passive: she was seized with fear.
Similargrip, overcome, overwhelm, possess, overtake
Note
Antonino Saggio's A Secret van Gogh (2011) carries it into art, describing a sensation that "seizes all viewers of a van Gogh".
Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 1 fact
- The book describes a sensation using the words "seizes all viewers of a van Gogh". en.wiktionary.org
- 5
Less common meanings
- 6To experience a seizure, with sudden uncontrolled muscle activity or altered consciousness.
The toddler seized twice before the medication took effect.
Patients who seize repeatedly may need long-term treatment.
Similarconvulse
- 7Of chocolate: to change suddenly from a smooth fluid into a hard, gritty mass.
The chocolate seized as soon as steam reached the bowl.
Overheated couverture can seize and become unusable for dipping.
Note
A kitchen hazard rather than a technique. Martha Holmberg's Modern Sauces (2012) warns that a little water, or even a watery liquid such as brandy, getting into melting chocolate will make it seize. The chocolate then turns grainy and matte instead of glossy and smooth.
Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 4 facts
- Martha Holmberg wrote Modern Sauces. chroniclebooks.com
- Modern Sauces was first published in 2012. openlibrary.org
- Holmberg warns that a little water, including a watery liquid such as brandy, entering melting chocolate causes it to seize. en.wiktionary.org
- Seized chocolate looks grainy and matte rather than glossy and smooth. en.wiktionary.org
- 8To fasten or bind something firmly in place, especially (in nautical use) by lashing it with several tight turns of light line.
- 9To vest a person with legal ownership of an estate in land.
There a baron was created and seised by the king in a single act. His tenure was a function of his personal relationship with his lord king.
1997, Nigel Saul, The Oxford illustrated history of medieval England - 10Of a court, council, or other official body: to have a case or matter formally before it for consideration or decision; used in the passive with 'of' (be seized of).
Practice
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Origin
Earlier spelled 'seise', the word came through Middle English from Old French seisir ('to take possession of'). One proposed origin traces the French word through Early Medieval Latin sacīre ('to lay claim to, appropriate') to Frankish and other Germanic roots connected with legal claims, which would link it to 'sake'. Another derives the Old French word directly from a Germanic verb related to English 'set'.