Definition of "seize"

seize

/siːz/

verb
third-person singular simple present seizes, present participle seizing, simple past and past participle seized
1. (transitive) To deliberately take hold of; to grab or capture.
2. (transitive) To take advantage of (an opportunity or circumstance).
3. (transitive) To take possession of (by force, law etc.).
4. (transitive) To have a sudden and powerful effect upon.
  Quotations
  This sensation of an object becoming alive is a characteristic that, I believe, seizes all viewers of a van Gogh. The Bible goes beyond being a simple still-life object to become a living thing, an expression of strength, an existence that emanates from itself, beyond the painting surface to participate in our very lives.
  2010, Antonio Saggio, A Secret van Gogh: His Motif and Motives, page 11
5. (transitive, law) Alternative spelling of seise (“to vest ownership of an estate in land”).
6. (transitive, nautical) To bind, lash or make fast, with several turns of small rope, cord, or small line.
7. (transitive, obsolete) To fasten, fix.
8. (intransitive) To lay hold in seizure, by hands or claws (+ on or upon).
  Quotations
  The text which had seized upon his heart with such comfort and strength abode upon him for more than a year.
  1830, Robert Southey, Bunyan, page 21
9. (intransitive) To have a seizure.
  Quotations
  Nearing what she thought was a climax, he started seizing and fell off her. Later, realizing he was dead, she became alarmed and dragged the body to his vehicle to make it look like he had died in his truck.
  2012, Daniel M. Avery, Tales of a Country Obstetrician
10. (intransitive) To bind or lock in position immovably; see also seize up.
11. (UK, intransitive) To submit for consideration to a deliberative body.
12. (law) (with of) To cause (an action or matter) to be or remain before (a certain judge or court).
13. (transitive, intransitive, cooking) Of chocolate: to change suddenly from a fluid to an undesirably hard and gritty texture.
  Quotations
  Chocolate seizes if a small amount of water (or watery liquid such as brandy) finds its way into the chocolate while it is melting. […] If chocolate seizes, it will look grainy and matte rather than glossy and smooth.
  2012, Martha Holmberg, Modern Sauces: More Than 150 Recipes for Every Cook, Every Day, page 235