seize
v.v. to take hold of something suddenly and with force. You can also use it when you take a chance or an opportunity quickly.
v. to take hold of something or someone suddenly and forcibly; to take possession of property by legal authority. Often used figuratively to describe taking advantage of an opportunity or a moment.
He had to seize the rope before the boat drifted away.
The police had the authority to seize the illegal goods found in the back of the truck.
The young entrepreneur was quick to seize the opportunity when the market leader failed to adapt to the new digital landscape, effectively capturing a significant share of the audience.
Earlier seise, from Middle English seisen, sesen, saisen, from Old French seisir (“to take possession of; invest (person, court)”), from Early Medieval Latin sacīre (“to lay claim to, appropriate”) (8th century) in the phrase ad propriam sacire, from Old Low Frankish sakjan (“to sue, bring legal action”), from Proto-Germanic sakjaną, sakōną (compare Old English sacian (“to strive, brawl”)), from Proto-Germanic sakaną (compare Old Saxon sakan (“to accuse”), Old High German sahhan (“to bicker, quarrel, rebuke”), Old English sacan (“to quarrel, claim by law, accuse”). Cognate to sake and Latin sāgiō (“to perceive acutely”).
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object. When used in a medical or mechanical context, it can be intransitive, meaning to become stuck or to have a fit.
He seized to the chanceHe seized the chanceSeize is a transitive verb and does not take the preposition 'to' before its object.