To seize on

Seize Seize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Seized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Seizing}.] [OE. seisen, saisen, OF. seisir, saisir, F. saisir, of Teutonic origin, and akin to E. set. The meaning is properly, to set, put, place, hence, to put in possession of. See {Set}, v. t.] 1. To fall or rush upon suddenly and lay hold of; to gripe or grasp suddenly; to reach and grasp. [1913 Webster]

For by no means the high bank he could seize. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]

Seek you to seize and gripe into your hands The royalties and rights of banished Hereford? --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. To take possession of by force. [1913 Webster]

At last they seize The scepter, and regard not David's sons. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

3. To invade suddenly; to take sudden hold of; to come upon suddenly; as, a fever seizes a patient. [1913 Webster]

Hope and deubt alternate seize her seul. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

4. (law) To take possession of by virtue of a warrant or other legal authority; as, the sheriff seized the debtor's goods. [1913 Webster]

5. To fasten; to fix. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

As when a bear hath seized her cruel claws Upon the carcass of some beast too weak. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]

6. To grap with the mind; to comprehend fully and distinctly; as, to seize an idea. [1913 Webster]

7. (Naut.) To bind or fasten together with a lashing of small stuff, as yarn or marline; as, to seize ropes. [1913 Webster]

Note: This word, by writers on law, is commonly written seise, in the phrase to be seised of (an estate), as also, in composition, disseise, disseisin. [1913 Webster]

{To be seized of}, to have possession, or right of possession; as, A B was seized and possessed of the manor of Dale. ``Whom age might see seized of what youth made prize.'' --Chapman.

{To seize on} or {To seize upon}, to fall on and grasp; to take hold on; to take possession of suddenly and forcibly. [1913 Webster]

Syn: To catch; grasp; clutch; snatch; apprehend; arrest; take; capture. [1913 Webster]