seize
♦ seize /s'iːz/ (seizes seizing seized)
1 [VERB] V n, V n
If you seize something, you take hold of it quickly, firmly, and forcefully.
`Leigh,' he said seizing my arm to hold me back.
...an otter seizing a fish.
2 [VERB] V n, V n
When a group of people seize a place or seize control of it, they take control of it quickly and suddenly, using force.
Troops have seized the airport and railroad terminals...
Army officers plotted a failed attempt yesterday to seize power.
= take
3 [VERB] V n
If a government or other authority seize someone's property, they take it from them, often by force.
Police were reported to have seized all copies of this morning's edition of the newspaper...
4 [VERB] be V-ed, V n
When someone is seized, they are arrested or captured.
UN officials say two military observers were seized by the Khmer Rouge yesterday...
Men carrying sub-machine guns seized the five soldiers and drove them away.
5 [VERB] V n
When you seize an opportunity, you take advantage of it and do something that you want to do.
During the riots hundreds of people seized the opportunity to steal property...seize on
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you seize on something or seize upon it, you show great interest in it, often because it is useful to you.
Newspapers seized on the results as proof that global warming wasn't really happening...seize up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If a part of your body seizes up, it suddenly stops working, because you have strained it or because you are getting old.
We are all born flexible but as we grow older, we tend to seize up a little.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If something such as an engine seizes up, it stops working, because it has not been properly cared for.
She put diesel fuel, instead of petrol, into the tank causing the motor to seize up.
1 [VERB] V n, V n
If you seize something, you take hold of it quickly, firmly, and forcefully.
`Leigh,' he said seizing my arm to hold me back.
...an otter seizing a fish.
2 [VERB] V n, V n
When a group of people seize a place or seize control of it, they take control of it quickly and suddenly, using force.
Troops have seized the airport and railroad terminals...
Army officers plotted a failed attempt yesterday to seize power.
= take
3 [VERB] V n
If a government or other authority seize someone's property, they take it from them, often by force.
Police were reported to have seized all copies of this morning's edition of the newspaper...
4 [VERB] be V-ed, V n
When someone is seized, they are arrested or captured.
UN officials say two military observers were seized by the Khmer Rouge yesterday...
Men carrying sub-machine guns seized the five soldiers and drove them away.
5 [VERB] V n
When you seize an opportunity, you take advantage of it and do something that you want to do.
During the riots hundreds of people seized the opportunity to steal property...seize on
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n
If you seize on something or seize upon it, you show great interest in it, often because it is useful to you.
Newspapers seized on the results as proof that global warming wasn't really happening...seize up
1 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If a part of your body seizes up, it suddenly stops working, because you have strained it or because you are getting old.
We are all born flexible but as we grow older, we tend to seize up a little.
2 [PHRASAL VERB] V P
If something such as an engine seizes up, it stops working, because it has not been properly cared for.
She put diesel fuel, instead of petrol, into the tank causing the motor to seize up.