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seize

v.
US //ˈsiz// UK //sˈiːz// seize
  1. 1 to grab suddenly (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to take hold of something suddenly and with force.

    to grasp or clutch something suddenly and forcibly.

    Example

    The police officer managed to seize the weapon before the suspect could use it.

    Example

    He reached out to seize the railing just as the ship lurched violently to the port side, narrowly avoiding a fall.
  2. 2 to take by force or law (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Law

    to take over a place or take away property using force or legal authority.

    to take possession of something by legal process or by force.

    Example

    Customs officers may seize any illegal goods found in your luggage.

    Example

    The rebel forces moved quickly to seize the radio station, effectively cutting off the government's primary means of communication with the public.
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  1. 3 to use an opportunity (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to quickly take advantage of a chance or an idea.

    to take advantage of an opportunity or circumstance eagerly and decisively.

    Example

    You should seize the opportunity to study abroad while you are still young.

    Example

    The company was able to seize a significant share of the market by launching their product months before their competitors.
  2. 4 to affect suddenly (v.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    when a strong feeling or illness suddenly affects you.

    to affect a person suddenly and powerfully, often used in the passive voice.

    Example

    A sudden panic seized her when she realised she had lost her passport.

    Example

    A terrible fear seized the villagers as the sky turned an unnatural shade of green before the storm.
  3. 5 to stop moving (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical

    when a machine or a part of your body stops moving or working correctly.

    to become stuck or jammed, typically due to friction, heat, or lack of lubrication.

    Example

    The car engine will seize if you try to drive it without any oil.

    Example

    The old gears had begun to seize due to decades of rust, making it impossible to turn the heavy iron crank.

    Usage

    Often used with the particle 'up' as 'seize up'.
  4. 6 cooking chocolate (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Cooking

    when melted chocolate suddenly turns into a hard, lumpy mess.

    to change suddenly from a fluid state to a stiff, grainy mass, usually caused by a small amount of moisture entering melted chocolate.

    Example

    Be careful not to get any water in the bowl, or the chocolate will seize.

    Example

    The pastry chef explained that even a single drop of water can cause a batch of tempered chocolate to seize instantly.
Origin

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”).

Idioms2 entries

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