v take hold of; grab
The sales clerk quickly seized the money on the counter The mother seized her child by the arm Birds of prey often seize small mammals
v take or capture by force
The terrorists seized the politicians The rebels threaten to seize civilian hostages
v take possession of by force, as after an invasion
the invaders seized the land and property of the inhabitants The army seized the town
v take temporary possession of as a security, by legal authority
The FBI seized the drugs
v seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession
She seized control of the throne after her husband died
v hook by a pull on the line
v affect
Fear seized the prisoners The patient was seized with unbearable pains He was seized with a dreadful disease
v capture the attention or imagination of
The movie seized my imagination