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seize on

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seize

  [seez] verb, seized, seiz⋅ing.
Use seize on in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to take hold of suddenly or forcibly; grasp: to seize a weapon.
2. to grasp mentally; understand clearly and completely: to seize an idea.
3. to take possession of by force or at will: to seize enemy ships.
4. to take possession or control of as if by suddenly laying hold: Panic seized the crowd.
5. to take possession of by legal authority; confiscate: to seize smuggled goods.
6. Also, seise. Law. to put (someone) in seizin or legal possession of property (usually used in passive constructions): She was seized of vast estates.
7. to capture; take into custody.
8. to take advantage of promptly: to seize an opportunity.
9. Nautical. to bind or fasten together with a seizing.
–verb (used without object)
10. to grab or take hold suddenly or forcibly (usually fol. by on or upon): to seize on a rope.
11. to resort to a method, plan, etc., in desperation (usually fol. by on or upon): He must seize on a solution, however risky.
12. to have moving parts bind and stop moving as a result of excessive pressure, temperature, or friction (usually fol. by up): The engine seized up from cold.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME saisen, seisen < OF saisir < ML sacīre to place (in phrase sacīre ad propriētam to take as one's own, lay claim to) < Frankish, perh. akin to Goth satjan to set, put, place

Related forms:
seiz⋅a⋅ble, adjective
seizer; Law. sei⋅zor  [see-zer, -zawr] , noun

Synonyms:
1. clutch, grab. 7. arrest, apprehend. See catch.

Antonyms:
7. release.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

seize 
1265, from O.Fr. seisir "to put in possession of, to take possession of," from L.L. sacire, generally held to be from a Gmc. source, perhaps from Frankish *sakjan "lay claim to" (cf. Goth. sokjan, O.E. secan "to seek;" see seek), or from P.Gmc. *satjan "to place" (see set (v.)). Originally a legal term in ref. to feudal property holdings or offices. Meaning "to grip with the hands or teeth" is from c.1300; that of "to take possession by force or capture" (of a city, etc.) is from 1338. Fig. use, with ref. to death, disease, fear, etc. is from c.1381. Meaning "to grasp with the mind" is attested from 1855. Of engines or other mechanisms, attested from 1878.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: seize
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: seized; seiz·ing
1 or seise : to put in possession of property or vest with the right of possession or succession seized of land>
2 : to take possession or custody of (property) esp. by lawful authority <seize drugs as evidence> seize the interest or property subject to forfeiture —Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 32(b)(2)> seize the goods subject to his security interest and…keep them in satisfaction of the debt —J. J. White and Railroad S. Summers> —compare FORECLOSE, REPOSSESS
3 : to detain (a person) in such circumstances as would lead a reasonable person to believe that he or she was not free to leave seized when surrounded by police officers> —seiz·able adjective
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Idioms & Phrases

seize on

Also, seize upon.

  1. Grab or take hold of suddenly, as in He seized on the bell rope and started to pull vigorously, or She seized upon every opportunity to present her side of the story. [Late 1600s]

  2. Resort to some action, especially out of dire necessity, as in He seized upon any excuse, no matter how farfetched.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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