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REFERENCE

seizure

n.
US //ˈsiʒɝ// UK //sˈiːʒɐ// seizure
  1. 1 legal or forceful taking (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Law

    the act of taking something away using legal power or force.

    the act of taking possession of property or persons by legal authority or by force.

    Example

    The police ordered the seizure of the stolen car as evidence.

    Example

    The court-ordered seizure of the company's assets followed a lengthy investigation into systematic financial fraud.

    Usage

    Often used with the preposition 'of' followed by the object being taken.
  2. 2 medical fit (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

    a sudden medical condition where the body moves in an uncontrolled way.

    a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain that causes changes in behaviour, movements, or feelings.

    Example

    He had a seizure and had to be taken to the hospital immediately.

    Example

    The patient experienced a grand mal seizure, requiring the medical team to administer emergency anticonvulsant medication.

    Usage

    Commonly used with the verbs 'have' or 'suffer'.
    • fit
    • convulsion
    • paroxysm
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  1. 3 sudden emotion (n.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    a sudden, strong feeling of an emotion like panic or pain.

    a sudden onset or overwhelming burst of a specific emotion or physical sensation.

    Example

    A sudden seizure of panic made her stop in her tracks.

    Example

    He was overcome by a seizure of grief so profound that he could not continue his speech.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is less common in modern speech; learners will mostly encounter it in older literature or formal prose.
Origin

From seize + -ure.

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