seize up definition | Dictionary.com

seize

[seez]

verb, seized, seiz⋅ing.

–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.

Link To seize up

seize up

Come to a halt, as in The peace talks seized up and were not rescheduled. Originally, from about 1870 on, this term was applied to a machine of some kind that jammed or locked, owing to excessive heat or friction. Its figurative use dates from about 1950.

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