Seizer

seize  (sz)

v. seized, seiz·ing, seiz·es

v.tr.

1. To grasp suddenly and forcibly; take or grab: seize a sword.

2.

a. To grasp with the mind; apprehend: seize an idea and develop it to the fullest extent.

b. To possess oneself of (something): seize an opportunity.

3.

a. To have a sudden overwhelming effect on: a heinous crime that seized the minds and emotions of the populace.

b. To overwhelm physically: a person who was seized with a terminal disease.

4. To take into custody; capture.

5. To take quick and forcible possession of; confiscate: seize a cache of illegal drugs.

6. also seise (sz)

a. To put (one) into possession of something.

b. To vest ownership of a feudal property in.

7. Nautical To bind (a rope) to another, or to a spar, with turns of small line.

v.intr.

1. To lay sudden or forcible hold of.

2.

a. To cohere or fuse with another part as a result of high pressure or temperature and restrict or prevent further motion or flow.

b. To come to a halt: The talks seized up and were rescheduled.

3. To exhibit symptoms of seizure activity, usually with convulsions.

---

[Middle English seisen, from Old French seisir, to take possession, of Germanic origin.]

---

seiza·ble adj.

seizer n.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

seizer - a kidnapper who drugs men and takes them for compulsory service aboard a ship shanghaier abductor, kidnaper, kidnapper, snatcher - someone who unlawfully seizes and detains a victim (usually for ransom)