seize definition

1. take hold of; grab
• examples: The sales clerk quickly seized the money on the counter
• examples: She clutched her purse
• examples: The mother seized her child by the arm
• examples: Birds of prey often seize small mammals
2. take or capture by force
• examples: The terrorists seized the politicians
• examples: The rebels threaten to seize civilian hostages
3. hook by a pull on the line
• examples: strike a fish
4. affect
• examples: Fear seized the prisoners
• examples: The patient was seized with unbearable pains
• examples: He was seized with a dreadful disease