Definition of Seize

Verb: seize seez

Take hold of; grab
"The sales clerk quickly seized the money on the counter"; "The mother seized her child by the arm"; "Birds of prey often seize small mammals";
- prehend [archaic], clutch
Take or capture by force
"The terrorists seized the politicians"; "The rebels threaten to seize civilian hostages"
Take possession of by force, as after an invasion
"the invaders seized the land and property of the inhabitants"; "The army seized the town";
- appropriate, capture, conquer
Take temporary possession of as a security, by legal authority
"The FBI seized the drugs";
- impound, attach, sequester, confiscate
Take control of (without authority and possibly with force); take as one's right or possession
"She seized control of the throne after her husband died";
- assume, usurp, take over, arrogate
Hook by a pull on the line
Affect
"Fear seized the prisoners"; "The patient was seized with unbearable pains"; "He was seized with a dreadful disease";
- clutch, get hold of
Capture the attention or imagination of
"The movie seized my imagination";
- grab