seizen.
/siːz/, U.S. /siz/ Mechanics. rare.
An instance of seizing (sense seize v. 11); cf. seizing n. 1.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > [noun] > cessation of operation
technical hitch1877
shutdown1911
seize1912
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > mechanism > [noun] > instance of becoming unworkable
seize1912
1912 F. A. Talbot Motor-Cars 35 The heat causes the cylinder and the piston rings to expand until at last they become jammed irremovably together, precipitating what is known in motoring parlance as a ‘seize’.
1986 Kart & Superkart Aug. 12/1 Reg Gange completed the weekend with a seize coming out of Mansfield corner on the last but one lap.
1987 Kart & Superkart Oct. 26/3 Goff had suffered a seize, the reason seemed inexplicable, the piston was wet enough.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1933; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
seizev.
/siːz/, U.S. /siz/ I. To put in possession.† 3. † 4. To give possession of, grant. Obsolete.
1. Law.† c. Without const.: To endow, dower. Obsolete.
a. (In technical use written seise.) transitive. To put (a person) in legal possession of a feudal holding; to invest or endow with property; to establish in a holding or an office or dignity.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > transfer of property > putting in possession > put (a person) in possession [verb (transitive)]
feoffc1290
seizec1290
enseisec1420
inseisinc1440
possessc1450
seisinc1450
vest1464
c1290 Beket 1695 in S. Eng. Leg. 155 Þe king..wende in-to engelonde, For to saisi sir henri is sone mid al is kinedom.
c1290 Beket 1708 in S. Eng. Leg. Þe fader seruede þe sone at þe mete a-dai, And with reaume saisede him.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 8991 To..saysi þer wiþ willam Roberdes sone courtehese.
a1300 Havelok 2518 Her ich sayse þe In al þe lond, in al þe fe.
a1400 K. Alis. (Laud) 7951 Darries heir I make þee And seise þee wiþ al his fee.
c1400 Destr. Troy 119 Of Septur and soile he sesit his brothir.
c1400 in W. G. Henderson Manuale & Processionale Ecclesiæ Eboracensis (1875) 221* (note) Wiþ my body y the worschipe, and wiþ my worldliche catel iche þe sese.
c1440 Ipomydon 1592 Ipomydon sesyd hym in his lande And yaffe hym the profyte for his sake.
c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn l. 1549 Beryn first was sesid in the Shippis fyve.
?1473 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Recuyell Hist. Troye (1894) II. lf. 346 For as moche as Pirrus my right dere nevewe is the nexte eyer I sease hym now therin.
1480 W. Caxton Chron. Eng. clxvi. k 4 b The lordes of Scotland..come to kyng Edward of englond & seised hym in all the land of Scotland as hir chief lord.
c1500 Melusine (1895) lix. 358 Wilt thou denye my trybute that of ryght I ought to haue vpon the pommel of this toure of the which I was seasyd & enpocessid by thy fader?
a1529 J. Skelton Magnyfycence (?1530) sig. Eii In my fauour I haue you feffyd and seasyd.
1559 Seconde Volume of Fabians Chronicle in Chronicle of Fabian (new ed.) sig. AAA.iii Al whiche tyme Doctour Ponet, was ceased in that Bisshoprike.
1836 Penny Cycl. V. 226/2 Borthwick had acquired various lands..but having seised his son James in several of them, he [etc.].
b. Passive. to be seised of or in: to be the legal possessor of. Phrases, to be seised in fee, to be seised of (a manor, etc.) in his demesne as of fee: to be the holder of the fee-simple.seised is sometimes used simply = seised of the property in question.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > tenure of property > have tenure of property [verb (intransitive)] > hold by freehold
to be seised of (a manor, etc.) in his demesne as of feea1400
to be seised in fee1607
a1400 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 362 Þe tenemens of weche he deyd y-seysed.
c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 417 & sesed in alle hys herytage Hys lef is.
1427 Rolls of Parl. IV. 318/2 Every persone..beeyng seysed of Londes.., in his demesne as of freehold.
1473–5 Cal. Proc. Chanc. Q. Eliz. (1830) II. Pref. 61 Richard Saunder was thenne therof seised in his demene as of fee symple.
1502 Reg. Privy Seal Scot. I. 115/1 Lanndis..quhilk his grantschir..deit last vestit and sesit in.
1558 in Vicary's Anat. Bodie of Man (1888) App. v. 183 That he the said Thomas Dunkyn, the daye of the makyng herof, is lawfully seased in his demeane as of fee.
1603 W. Shakespeare Hamlet i. i. 88 Who by a seale compact..did forfeit..all those His lands which he stoode seazed of.
1603 True Narration Entertainm. His Maiestie sig. B2v The saide Bishop being thus seized of all the authoritie to the Kings Maiesties vse.
1607 J. Davies Let. in Hist. Tracts (1787) 225 It was found that Sir John O'Relie was seized of the country in fee, and died seized.
1716 M. Davies Athenæ Britannicæ II. 77 It appears that he died seiz'd of Lands in Slacksted in Hampshire.
a1768 J. Erskine Inst. Law Scotl. (1773) II. iii. viii. §83 587 This holds though the lands had been adjudged from the ancestor during his life,..if the ancestor died seised, and in the possession of the lands.
1827 T. Jarman Powell's Ess. Learning of Devises (ed. 3) II. 103 If a devisor, being seised of both Blackacre and Whiteacre, devise Blackacre to A. in fee.
a1832 A. Polson Eng. Law in Encycl. Metrop. (1845) II. 827/1 The Statute of Uses..which provides, that where one is seised of lands, &c. to the use of another, he who has the use shall become seised of the lands.
1844 J. Williams Princ. Law Real Property (1877) 105 The person last seized (or feudally possessed).
1872 ‘M. Twain’ Roughing It xxii. 172 We were land owners now, duly seized and possessed.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > transfer of property > settlement of property > settle (property) [verb (transitive)] > endow
worthOE
goodOE
dow1297
allowc1400
rentc1400
endowc1440
enduec1440
seizec1450
empossessc1500
revestc1500
indot1520
endote1528
dotatec1540
estate1609
instate1614
portion1663
vest1748
fortune1838
c1450 How Wise Man tauȝt Sonne (Lamb. 853) in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 51 For ritchesse take hir neuere þe more Þouȝ sche wolde þee boþe feffe & ceese.
2. transferred.† b. reflexive. To take possession of, to seize on; = senses 6, 7, 9 [So French se saisir de.]
a. in Passive, to be seized (seised) of or †with: to be in possession of. Now only archaic and with conscious allusion to the legal use. Formerly often influenced by sense 5, 6, or 7, †to have seized, to hold as the result of seizing.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > have or possess [verb (transitive)]
holda855
haveeOE
feoffc1330
werec1330
possede1392
possess1394
to be seized (seised) of or with1477
get1611
rejoice1822
society > law > legal possession > possess in law [verb (transitive)]
to be seized (seised) of or with1477
to be settled of1617
society > law > legal right > right of possession or ownership > tenure of property > have tenure of or hold as tenant [verb (transitive)] > in absolute possession
to be seized (seised) of or with1477
to hold in feea1556
1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 109 And thus..thou mayst retourne with glorie in to thy countre and be seased with the noble fliese of gold.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) xxxi. 94 Whan Huon sawe that he was sessyd of his horne of Iuorey he was ioyfull.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. v. sig. D8v As when a Gryfon seized of his pray, A Dragon fiers encountreth in his flight.
1594 R. Carew tr. J. Huarte Exam. Mens Wits xiv. 257 Temperat men are seized of the wisdom and knowledge requisit to the calling of a king.
a1613 E. Brerewood Enq. Langs. & Relig. (1614) Pref. sig. ¶¶1v Those (as they vsually stile them) of the Religion..are seased of aboue 70. Townes.
1628 T. Hobbes tr. Thucydides Peloponnesian War (1629) 58 The Outlawes of Bœotia being seazed of Orchomenus and Chæronea,..the Athenians made Warre vpon those places.
1653 H. Cogan tr. F. M. Pinto Voy. & Adventures xxx. 122 If any that sell Goose Eggs do chance to be taken siesed with Hens eggs..they are presently punished with thirty lashes.
1659 T. Pecke Parnassi Puerperium 159 Seventy six years his Lungs were seis'd of Breath.
1710 T. Hearne in J. Leland Itinerary I. Pref. p. xii By this means Sir John became seiz'd of far the largest Parcel of this Great Man's Writings.
1713 J. Addison Cato iii. vii So Pluto, seiz'd of Proserpine, convey'd To hell's tremendous gloom th' affrighted maid.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 6 Being seized of his Mother's Crown while she was in exile and a prisoner.
1885 W. E. Gladstone Speech in Standard 14 Apr. I have no doubt that in due time Parliament will be seised of that correspondence.
1896 A. J. Balfour Speech in Daily News 18 Mar. 3/3 So far as I am seised of the case..it appears to me that [etc.].
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > taking possession > take possession of [verb (reflexive)]
possessa1542
impatronize1575
seize1579
1579 J. Stubbs Discouerie Gaping Gulf sig. C4v The French king was not ashamed to excite John the brother of England to seize himselfe of the crowne.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) i. xix. sig. M1v The Lion..was ready to seaze him selfe on the pray.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) iii. xii. sig. Pp7v Death began to seaze him selfe of his harte.
a. To settle, establish in a place; to place, seat, fix. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > placing or fact of being placed in (a) position > place or put in a position [verb (transitive)] > fix or establish in position
i-set971
fastc1275
stablea1300
steada1300
pitchc1300
stablisha1325
ficchec1374
resta1393
seizea1400
locate1513
root1535
plant?a1562
room1567
repose1582
fix1638
haft1728
a1400–50 Wars Alex. 5637 Twyse sex Semylacris sesid he þar-vndire.
14.. Siege Jerusalem (1932) 1/2 Sir Sesar hym sulf seysed in rome.
c1430 in Pol. Rel. & L. Poems (1866) 165 For þee y suffride greet repreef, In hiȝ heuene þi soule to ceese Y was an-hangid as a þeef.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid xiii. ii. 106 I sall ȝou seis and induce now, but weir, In far largear rewardis mychtely.
1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) I. 118 The lordis..Hes seisit him syne in his sepulture.
1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) II. 247 Tha buir his bodie to Ecolumkill..Syne sesit him thair into sepultiur.
1535 D. Lindsay Satyre 8 The Father and founder of faith and felicitie..Gif ȝow all that I sie seasit in this place [etc.].
?1591 R. Bruce Serm. Sacrament iv. sig. P6 He maks his sonne to come downe, to sease him selfe in the wemb of the virgin.
1599 A. Hume Hymnes Ep. to Rdr. sig. A3v The filthie vice and corruption that naturallie is seased in the harts of all men.
1600 in T. Stafford Pac. Hib. (1633) i. xvii. 104 Considering the Gentleman was ceased in my Countrie, and had my word.
1633 T. Stafford Pacata Hibernia ii. x. 190 The Soveraigne with his white rod in his hand, going to billet, and cease them in severall houses.
b. Of a beast of prey: To fasten (its claws) upon. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > by habits or actions > habits and actions > [verb (transitive)] > seize prey with claws
strain1426
season1530
claw1557
seize1590
maul1848
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. iii. sig. C4 When that disdainfull beast..Him suddein doth surprize, And seizing cruell clawes on trembling brest, Vnder his Lordly foot him proudly hath supprest.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. viii. sig. G7v The cruell beast, Who on his neck his bloody clawes did seize.
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene v. iv. sig. P6 As when a Beare hath seiz'd her cruell clawes Vppon the carkasse of some beast too weake. View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
society > law > transfer of property > putting in possession > put (a person) in possession [verb (transitive)] > give possession of
seisin13..
seizea1400
to deliver (also give, receive) state and seisin1606
a1400–50 Wars Alex. 5220 Þe maistir out of Messedone ȝow maynly enjoynes, If ȝe ȝoure cite will saue to sese him his brid.
c1450 Erle Tolous 1199 He made hym steward of hys londe, And sesyd agayne into hys honde That he had rafte hym froo.
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 8230 All betwene tyne and teese, To durham mynster þai þaim seese.
II. To take possession.
5.
a. Of a feudal superior or a sovereign (or one acting on his behalf): To take possession of, confiscate (the property of a vassal or subject). Also, to annex (a country) to one's own dominions. Phrases, to seize into one's hands, †to one's behoof.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > taking possession > take possession of [verb (transitive)]
take?a1160
seizec1290
raima1325
to take in possessiona1325
to hent in (also upon) handa1350
occupya1382
to take possession?a1425
to take upc1425
uptakec1425
to take in1523
possess1526
master1826
c1290 Beket 705 in S. Eng. Leg. 126 Þe king sende is men sone to saisi al is lond And al-so al is bischopriche ase is traitores, In-to is hond.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 10125 Þe king of france orn vpe þe king Ion, & is londes biȝonde se seisede anon, Aquitayne & normandie.
a1300 Havelok 2513 Þanne he was ded..Sket was seysed al þat his was In þe kinges hand il del, Lond and lith, and oþer catel.
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 2703 For first he slow þe kyng Pyncer, & seysed þe lond til his byhoue.
1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Rolls) VIII. 287 Þe kyng made seyse into his hond al þe temporalte of clerkes.
1447–8 J. Shillingford Lett. (Camden) 96 The said Citie..was seised into the saide King Edward's hondes.
1604 R. Cawdrey Table Alphabet. Seize, to forfaite to the prince.
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 677 Roger Mortimer..seised also this Chirck, into his possession.
1723 London Gaz. No. 6174/3 A Grey..Horse..was..seized into the Hands of the Lord of the Manor..as Felons Goods.
1750 T. Carte Gen. Hist. Eng. II. 231 Three of his principal castles were, for his contempt of the court, to be seized into the King's hands.
1763 J. Brown Diss. Poetry & Music viii. 161 It was held an Act of Sacrilege to seize their Estates, even for the public Service.
1829 W. Scott Anne of Geierstein II. vii. 206 The Duke of Burgundy's attempt to seize that fief into his own hands.
1871 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1876) IV. xvii. 34 The estates of the fallen King..were no doubt at once seized into the King's hands.
b. To take possession of (goods) in pursuance of a judicial order.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > legal seizure or recovery of property > [verb (transitive)] > seize goods
seize1482
embarge1585
embar1647
embargo1650
1482 in I. S. Leadam Star Chamber Cases (1903) I. 9 One Robert Bonyfaunt as one of the clerkes..in the Superuysershipp of your Custumes..shold sease and arreste..to your vse at Topsam..a hundreth peces of crescloth.
1581 W. Lambarde Eirenarcha i. xxi. 198 Everie Iustice of the Peace may..seaze all the goodes of anye outlandishe persons (calling themselues Egiptians) that shall come into thys Realme.
1716 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1901) V. 186 James Newlin was put into ye Ground last night, for fear they should seize his Body.
1733 Gentleman's Mag. May 266/2 The Watchmen..seized 1100 Weight of uncustom'd Tea.
c1733 J. P. du Plessis in Pepys' Diary (1879) VI. 259 Being quite moneyless, and in danger of having my goods seized for rent.
1782 F. Burney Cecilia III. vi. i. 219 The house was seized before ever I could get nigh it.
1878 22nd Rep. Customs Comm. 58 The tobacco seized on these several occasions weighed 2,601 lbs.
1885 Law Rep.: Queen's Bench Div. 14 878 Goods..which the sheriff could rightfully seize under the writ.
c. To arrest, apprehend (a person). Cf. 6b.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > arrest > [verb (transitive)]
at-holda1230
attacha1325
resta1325
takec1330
arrest1393
restay?a1400
tachec1400
seisinc1425
to take upa1438
stowc1450
seize1471
to lay (also set, clap, etc.) (a person) by the heels?1515
deprehend1532
apprehend1548
nipa1566
upsnatcha1566
finger1572
to make stay of1572
embarge1585
cap1590
reprehend1598
prehenda1605
embar1647
nap1665
nab1686
bone1699
roast1699
do1784
touch1785
pinch1789
to pull up1799
grab1800
nick1806
pull1811
hobble1819
nail1823
nipper1823
bag1824
lag1847
tap1859
snaffle1860
to put the collar on1865
copper1872
to take in1878
lumber1882
to pick up1887
to pull in1893
lift1923
drag1924
to knock off1926
to put the sleeve on1930
bust1940
pop1960
vamp1970
1471 Little Red Bk. Bristol (1900) 131 That ye sease the persones of thaim alle as ferforthly as ye may sette hand vpon thaim.
1910 Daily Mail 8 Feb. 7/5 The rare occurrence of ‘seizing’ a jury..was witnessed at Manchester Assizes yesterday.
6.
a. To take possession of by force; to capture (a city); to take as plunder.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > seizing > seize [verb (transitive)]
gripea900
afangOE
to lay hands (or hand) on or upon (also in, to)OE
repeOE
atfonga1000
keepc1000
fang1016
kip1297
seize1338
to seize on or upon1399
to grip toc1400
rapc1415
to rap and rendc1415
comprise1423
forsetc1430
grip1488
to put (one's) hand(s) on (also in, to, unto, upon)1495
compass1509
to catch hold1520
hap1528
to lay hold (up)on, of1535
seisin?c1550
cly1567
scratch1582
attach1590
asseizea1593
grasp1642
to grasp at1677
collar1728
smuss1736
get1763
pin1768
grabble1796
bag1818
puckerow1843
nobble1877
jump1882
snaffle1902
snag1962
pull1967
society > armed hostility > victory > make victorious [verb (transitive)] > occupy militarily
seize1338
occupya1382
forestall?1571
detain1632
the mind > possession > taking > seizing > seize [verb (transitive)] > with violence or forcibly
reaveeOE
latchc950
seize1338
rape?1387
wrestc1426
extort1529
redeema1578
wreathe1590
force1602
extend1610
wrencha1616
1338 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 47 Knoute & Edrik þei seised [Langtoft ont pris] þorgh tresone Bokyngham & Bedford, þe toun of Huntyngtone.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis II. 248 The flees of gold he shulde sese.
a1400–50 Wars Alex. 1452 Gase forth to gaza ane othre grete cite, And he settes on a sawte and seses it beliue.
1481 W. Caxton tr. Myrrour of Worlde i. v. 25 The riche haue now in thise dayes seased somoche that the poure abide naked.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) x. 108 The king in hy gert sess the pray Off all the land.
1607 T. Heywood Woman Kilde with Kindnesse sig. G3v There take her to thee, if thou hast the hart To ceize her as a Rape or lustfull prey.
1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant ii. 149 There they would have seized our Mules to carry Provisions for the king to Ispahan.
1864 J. Bryce Holy Rom. Empire v. 81 Posen and Galicia seized by Prussia and Austria, a.d. 1772.
1883 R. W. Dixon Mano ii. vii. 93 Robbers, who seized church goods without remorse.
b. To take prisoner, to catch.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > seizing > catching or capture > catch or capture [verb (transitive)]
i-lecchec1000
fang1016
hentOE
takeOE
alatchlOE
catchc1275
wina1300
to take ina1387
attain1393
geta1400
overhent?a1400
restay?a1400
seizea1400
tachec1400
arrest1481
carrya1500
collara1535
snap1568
overgo1581
surprise1592
nibble1608
incaptivate1611
nicka1640
cop1704
chop1726
nail1735
to give a person the foot1767
capture1796
hooka1800
sniba1801
net1803
nib1819
prehend1831
corral1860
rope1877
society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restraint depriving of liberty > deprive of liberty by restraint [verb (transitive)] > take captive
takeOE
caitive1382
seizea1400
captivec1430
to take (a person) prisonera1475
to take captive1535
overthrallc1540
captivatea1575
stay1590
encaptive1592
capture1796
to hold captive1884
a1400–50 Wars Alex. 4119 His seggis sesid of þam [sc. the bearded women] sum & to him-selfe broȝt.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 1513 He was enformyt..how his towne was takon..his suster sesyd and soght into syde londis.
1609 T. Heywood Troia Britanica iv. xxix Nor can his troubled sences be appeas'd Till as a Traitor he Prince Ioue hath ceas'd.
1682 J. Bunyan Holy War To Rdr. sig. A3 I heard the Prince bid Boanerges go Up to the Castle, and there siese his foe.
1777 R. Watson Hist. Reign Philip II I. iii. 72 The inhabitants..seized his person, and confined him in the castle.
1827 Hist. Mod. Europe II. lii. 14 By putting to death all the Turks whom they had seised before the battle.
7. † c. to seize up: ? to haul up (a sail). Obsolete.
a. To take hold of with the hands, claws, teeth, etc.; in modern use, to take hold of suddenly or eagerly, to clutch.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > absence of movement > hold or holding > hold [verb (transitive)] > lay hold of or grasp
i-fangc888
gripc950
repeOE
befongOE
keepc1000
latchc1000
hentOE
begripec1175
becatchc1200
fang?c1200
i-gripea1225
warpa1225
fastenc1225
arepa1250
to set (one's) hand(s onc1290
kip1297
cleach?a1300
hendc1300
fasta1325
reachc1330
seizec1374
beclipc1380
takea1387
span1398
to seize on or upon1399
getc1440
handc1460
to catch hold1520
to take hold1530
to lay hold (up)on, of1535
grasple1553
to have by the backa1555
handfast1562
apprehend1572
grapple1582
to clap hold of1583
comprehend1584
graspa1586
attach1590
gripple1591
engrasp1593
clum1594
to seize of1600
begriple1607
fast hold1611
impalm1611
fista1616
to set (one's) hand to1638
to get one's hands on1649
c1374 G. Chaucer Compl. Mars 240 And lyke a fissher as men alday may se Bateth hys angle-hoke with summe plesaunce Til mony a fissch ys wode to that he be Sesed therwith.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 1236 He sesed a spere, & dressed him to þe duk presteli to iuste.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 260 This kniht..hath him be the bridel sesed.
a1400 Coer de L. 78 Her men aborde gunne to stande, And sesyd that other.
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 822 Sere seggeȝ hym sesed by sadel, quel he lyȝt.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xxxii. 649 He stombeled on his clubbe, and it sesed.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid iii. ii. 15 Delos..Quham..Apollo..Sesit and band betuix vther ilis twa.
1609 T. Heywood Troia Britanica iv. lxxxvi The Crones his bounty praise, And in their hands two costly Iewels cease.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) v. iv. 33 Had I beene ceazed by a hungry Lion, I would haue [etc.] . View more context for this quotation
1717 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad III. xii. 260 Allow'd to seize, but not possess the Prize.
1797 H. Lee Canterbury Tales I. 373 Lothaire abruptly seized him by the arm.
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) I. 477 I seized the books and read them as fast as I could.
1879 J. Lubbock Sci. Lect. 36 If you touch an ant with a needle or a bristle, she is almost sure to seize it in her jaws.
b. transferred of inanimate things.
ΚΠ
1673 W. Temple Observ. United Provinces iii. 122 The Sea..yielding up what it had seized, and seizing what it had yielded up.
1818 F. Accum Pract. Ess. Chem. Re-agents (ed. 2) 261 The barytes seizes the acid.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of sails, spars, or rigging > carry specific amount of sail [verb (transitive)] > set or spread (sails) > raise (sail or yard)
windc1275
to hoise sail1490
to seize upc1540
hoisen1553
tauntc1579
ride1880
up1890
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 3241 Þai shot into shippe..sesit vp þere sailes, set hom to wyndes.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 4619 All the company..knyt vp hor ancres, Sesit vp hor sailes in a sad hast.
d. to seize hold of: to take hold of suddenly and roughly: cf. to take hold at hold n.1 Phrases, hold n.1 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > absence of movement > hold or holding > hold [verb (transitive)] > lay hold of or grasp > suddenly or forcibly
catcha1250
titc1330
beclapc1386
clutch1393
clitcha1400
cleekc1440
cletch1612
click1651
get1831
to seize hold of1839
1839 F. A. Kemble Jrnl. Resid. Georgian Plantation (1863) 84 I was seized hold of by a hideous old negress.
8. In various figurative uses.
a. With impersonal subject, e.g. death, disease, calamity: To oppress or attack suddenly. Also of a fear, a belief, etc.: To take sudden possession of (a person, his mind). In passive often const. with (less frequently by).
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > occurrence > [verb (transitive)] > suddenly or violently
overgoOE
ofseche?c1225
catcha1275
henta1375
to come upon ——a1382
seizec1381
takea1382
to catch to ——c1400
overpass?a1513
re-encounter1523
to come over ——1726
to come on ——1850
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] > attack (of hostile agency)
besetOE
infighta1300
saila1300
seeka1300
visitc1340
beclipc1380
entainc1380
seizec1381
offendc1385
affectc1425
rehetea1450
take1483
attaintc1534
prevent1535
attach1541
attempt1546
affront1579
buffeta1593
to get at ——1650
assault1667
insult1697
to lay at1899
the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > quality of affecting the emotions > affect with emotion [verb (transitive)] > seize or strike (of an emotion)
assaila1393
supprisea1413
strike1533
infecta1586
seize1845
c1381 G. Chaucer Parl. Foules 481 Til that deth me sese, I wele ben heris.
c1425 Cast. Persev. 246 in Macro Plays 84 Þou synne my sowle sese, I ȝeue not a myth.
c1585 A. Montgomerie Sonn. xxxv. 7 Suppose my silly saull with sin be seasde.
1644 J. Milton Areopagitica 10 A fantasm bred by the feaver which had then seis'd him.
1659 H. Hammond Paraphr. & Annot. Psalms (lxxxix. 47–48 Paraphr.) 444 We are borne miserable, and pass through a succession of miseries here, and are shortly seised with death.
1700 J. Dryden tr. G. Boccaccio Sigismonda & Guiscardo in Fables 131 A welcome Heaviness that seiz'd his Eyes.
1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron I. iii. iii. 163 Seised and rapt with this sublime idea.
1757 T. Gray Ode II i. i, in Odes 13 Ruin seize thee, ruthless King!
1797 H. Lee Canterbury Tales I. 372 St. Aubert..was seized with dizziness.
1830 R. Knox tr. P. A. Béclard Elements Gen. Anat. 67 Putrefaction always..seizes it at the end of a short period.
1845 M. Pattison in Christian Remembrancer Jan. 70 A nation, indifferent to the creeds, is seized with a sudden passion for ecclesiastical art.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vii. 171 The young prince..was seized by the small pox.
1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Poems lxxxiv. 10 Sudden a solemn fright seized us.
b. Of an object of perception, a fact, etc., hence of a speaker, writer, or artist: To arrest, hold (the attention), to impress irresistibly (the mind, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > attention > attracting attention > engage the attention [verb (transitive)]
exercisea1538
entertainc1540
replenish1548
rouse1583
catcha1586
amuse1586
detainc1595
attract1599
grope1602
concerna1616
take1634
stay1639
engage1642
meet1645
nudge1675
strike1697
hitcha1764
seize1772
interest1780
acuminate1806
arrest1835
grip1891
intrigue1894
grab1966
work1969
1772 J. Reynolds Disc. Royal Acad. (1876) v. 374 Carlo Maratti..rarely seizes the imagination by exhibiting the higher excellencies.
1865 Pall Mall Gaz. 27 Mar. 8/2 One [woman] being exceedingly lovely, and the other of a very seizing ugliness.
1886 R. L. Stevenson Strange Case Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde 100 There was something abnormal..in the very essence of the creature that now faced me—something seizing, surprising and revolting.
c. To avail oneself eagerly or dexterously of, take advantage of (an opportunity). Also, to take (a resolution) decisively.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > resolve or decide upon [verb (transitive)] > make (a resolution)
seize1618
set1771
the world > action or operation > advantage > an opportunity > give opportunity for [verb (transitive)] > take (opportunity)
catchc1425
to take‥vantage (of)1573
apprehend1586
to take odds of1596
to catch at ——1610
feea1616
seize1618
nick1634
to jump at1769
1618 G. Chapman tr. Hesiod Georgicks ii. 487 Thy selfe, if well in yeares; thy wife take home, Not much past thirtie; But being yong thy selfe; Nuptialls that sease, The times best season in their acts are these [that follow].
1642 T. Fuller Holy State iv. xv. 317 Where her resolutions once seis'd, she would never let go her hold.
1809 J. Roland Amateur of Fencing 86 At the instant, therefore, I perceive him turn his wrist, I seize the moment he expects to strike my blade.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. xx. 433 Whether the opportunity should be seized or lost it did not belong to him to decide.
1861 T. Hughes Tom Brown at Oxf. I. vi. 90 The latter seized the occasion to propound this question.
d. To grasp with the mind or perceptive faculties; to apprehend.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > understand [verb (transitive)]
yknoweOE
acknowOE
anyeteOE
latchc1000
undernimc1000
understandc1000
underyetec1000
afindOE
knowOE
seeOE
onfangc1175
takec1175
underfindc1200
underfonga1300
undertakea1300
kenc1330
gripea1340
comprehend1340
comprendc1374
espyc1374
perceivea1387
to take for ——?1387
catcha1398
conceivea1398
intenda1400
overtakea1400
tenda1400
havec1405
henta1450
comprise1477
skilla1500
brook1548
apprend1567
compass1576
perstanda1577
endue1590
sound1592
engrasp1593
in1603
fathom1611
resent1614
receivea1616
to take up1617
apprehend1631
to take in1646
grasp1680
understumblec1681
forstand1682
savvy1686
overstand1699
uptake1726
nouse1779
twig1815
undercumstand1824
absorb1840
sense1844
undercumstumble1854
seize1855
intelligize1865
dig1935
read1956
1855 A. Bain Senses & Intellect i. ii. 124 Its peculiar quality or tone cannot be seized by any descriptive phrase.
1861 H. T. Buckle Hist. Civilisation Eng. (1873) III. v. 290 The reader must firmly seize and keep before his eyes the essential difference between deduction..and induction.
1865 M. Arnold Ess. Crit. vii. 224 A beauty which a foreigner cannot perfectly seize.
1873 R. Browning Red Cotton Night-cap Country i. 68 Sit on the little mound here, whence you seize The whole of the gay front sun-satisfied.
1877 E. R. Conder Basis of Faith ii. 69 It is the infinite which the intellect can seize but not embrace.
9. intransitive with various constructions.† b. Of a stroke, a weapon: To penetrate deeply in. Obsolete.
a. to seize on or upon = to seize (in senses 6 – 8). Also, in the same sense, †to seize of (obsolete rare).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > seizing > seize [verb (transitive)]
gripea900
afangOE
to lay hands (or hand) on or upon (also in, to)OE
repeOE
atfonga1000
keepc1000
fang1016
kip1297
seize1338
to seize on or upon1399
to grip toc1400
rapc1415
to rap and rendc1415
comprise1423
forsetc1430
grip1488
to put (one's) hand(s) on (also in, to, unto, upon)1495
compass1509
to catch hold1520
hap1528
to lay hold (up)on, of1535
seisin?c1550
cly1567
scratch1582
attach1590
asseizea1593
grasp1642
to grasp at1677
collar1728
smuss1736
get1763
pin1768
grabble1796
bag1818
puckerow1843
nobble1877
jump1882
snaffle1902
snag1962
pull1967
the world > movement > absence of movement > hold or holding > hold [verb (transitive)] > lay hold of or grasp
i-fangc888
gripc950
repeOE
befongOE
keepc1000
latchc1000
hentOE
begripec1175
becatchc1200
fang?c1200
i-gripea1225
warpa1225
fastenc1225
arepa1250
to set (one's) hand(s onc1290
kip1297
cleach?a1300
hendc1300
fasta1325
reachc1330
seizec1374
beclipc1380
takea1387
span1398
to seize on or upon1399
getc1440
handc1460
to catch hold1520
to take hold1530
to lay hold (up)on, of1535
grasple1553
to have by the backa1555
handfast1562
apprehend1572
grapple1582
to clap hold of1583
comprehend1584
graspa1586
attach1590
gripple1591
engrasp1593
clum1594
to seize of1600
begriple1607
fast hold1611
impalm1611
fista1616
to set (one's) hand to1638
to get one's hands on1649
1399 W. Langland Richard Redeles iii. 49 Thanne cometh þer a congioun..And sesith on hir sete with hir softe plumes.
c1475 W. Langland Richard Redeles iii. 49 Anoþer proud partriche..sesith on hir sete.
1546 in R. G. Marsden Sel. Pleas Court Admiralty (1894) I. 148 The sayde Leonard Sumpter..toke and seased uppon the same as lawfull wayff and thynge forsaken.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xxxiii. 835 With these forces Pausistratus encamped in the territorie of Stratonicea, and there hee seized of a commodious place.
1602 W. Watson Decacordon Ten Quodlibeticall Questions 64 The English: a nation apt to ceaze of euery noueltie.
1672 in O. Airy Essex Papers (1890) I. 2 Yt at any Time 40 desperat fellows may either ceese on it or blow it up.
1672 E. Stillingfleet Serm. xi, in Wks. (1710) I. 151 We find the best of men in Scripture seized on with a very unusual consternation at any extraordinary divine appearance.
1768 Earl of Carlisle in J. H. Jesse G. Selwyn & his Contemp. (1843) II. 276 I make a point of seizing upon every leisure moment to thank you for your constant attention.
1796 Hist. in Ann. Reg. 97/2 They had seized on the citadel.
1800 tr. E. J. B. Bouillon-Lagrange Man. Course Chem. I. 217 The liquid carbonates contained in the bottles, which are decomposed in proportion as the sulphurous acid expels the carbonic acid to seize on the bases.
1843 G. Borrow Bible in Spain II. xvi. 360 A morbid melancholy seized upon the Irishman.
1899 E. Callow Old London Taverns ii. 302 The Gardens were demolished and the jerry builder seized upon the ground.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming in > go or come in [verb (intransitive)] > penetrate > deeply
divea1225
deep?c1225
seize1590
society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > cut of sharp weapon > strike with sharp weapon [verb (intransitive)] > of weapon: penetrate
runc1330
sinkc1330
seize1590
the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > injure [verb (intransitive)] > wound > wound with sharp weapon > penetrate deeply
seize1590
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. xi. sig. L4 The mortall sting his angry needle shott Quite through his shield, and in his shoulder seasd.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. viii. sig. T8 But th'other..On his hacqueton did lyte, The which diuiding..It seizd in his right side, and there the dint did stay.
1600 E. Fairfax tr. T. Tasso Godfrey of Bulloigne vii. xli. 125 The wicked steele seaz'd deepe in his right side.
c. To grasp or clutch at. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > absence of movement > hold or holding > hold [verb (transitive)] > lay hold of or grasp > grasp at or clutch at
snatch1530
reach1542
to catch at ——1578
snap1673
to grasp at1677
clutch1834
grabble1837
seize1848
grab1852
1848 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair lxvi. 610 Then he..gave him a note. William seized at it rather eagerly.
III. Technical senses.figurative.1955 Cormack & McDougall in C. Morris Social Case-Work in Great Brit. (ed. 2) i. 35 When the social service system was primitive it could do without case-work: the more elaborate modern machine would seize up.1960 C. Day Lewis Buried Day ix. 182 I read the book; then, for hour after hour, I sat trying to think of something to say about it. I could not... My brain had seized up.1976 E. R. Dexter & C. Makins Testkill 100 Any exercise..might make me seize up.
10. transitive (Nautical).† a. To reach, arrive at (= make v.1 52b). Also with in. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > [verb (transitive)] > reach by sailing or arrive at
arrivec1440
to fall with ——?c1475
feta1547
seize1588
fetch1589
purchase1589
to fall in1598
porta1625
set1632
1588 Fenner in State Papers Defeat Spanish Armada (1894) II. 41 Thereby the enemy was able neither to seize England, Ireland, Scotland, Flanders, and hardly the out isles of Scotland.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. xii. sig. Mv Since now safe ye seised haue the shore, And well arriued are.
1635 L. Foxe North-west Fox sig. P2 The wind would not permit him to seize in that N shoare.
a1665 K. Digby Jrnl. Voy. to Mediterranean (1868) 75 I seeing that the great sattia could not worke to seaze the shore, I bore up to her.
b. To fasten (two ropes or parts of a rope) together, or to attach (a rope) to something else, by binding with marline, yarn, or the like. to seize up: to fasten (a man) by the wrists to the shrouds, in preparation for a flogging.[A use of French saisir; the proximate source may be Dutch seizen; the word was adopted in other Germanic languages: German seisen, Swedish sejsa, Danish seise. The use 7c seems unconnected.]
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > other nautical operations > [verb (transitive)] > bind or fasten
to turn in?1537
frap1548
reeve1627
seize1644
nip1670
marl1704
marline1706
clinch1780
nipper1794
clench1803
to turn in1834
society > authority > punishment > corporal punishment > administer corporal punishment [verb (transitive)] > whip or scourge > fasten before whipping
to seize up1817
1644 H. Mainwaring Sea-mans Dict. To Sease or Seasing, is to make fast..any roapes together with some small roape~yarne, marling or any line.
1747 Gentleman's Mag. Oct. 486/2 By the time the new breechings were all seized, I was got almost along side the Trident.
1778 H. Foord Let. 31 Oct. in Trans. Soc. Arts (1784) 2 215 I still fix the line to the Harpoon..with the addition of what I call a Snap Gammet, which Gammet is made of rattlin line, traverses in the Harpoon, next the breech, and is sized to the line about two feet from the end or noose, with about eight turns of Whale line yarn; which Gammet or sizeing, puts the line in motion, and breaks, but does not hurt the line.
1817 W. Mariner & J. Martin Acct. Natives Tonga Islands I. 4 They were seized up and received a dozen lashes each.
1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xv. 125 Sam..was seized up, as it is called, that is, placed against the shrouds, with his wrists made fast to the shrouds, his jacket off, and his back exposed.
1874 F. G. D. Bedford Sailor's Pocket Bk. vi. 183 Boat-hooks fitted with a stout lanyard, ending in an eye, secured to the hook, and seized two-thirds down the staff.
1895 Outing 26 47/1 Next, seize the luff of the sail to the mast hoops with marline.
11. intransitive (Mechanics) Also with up. Of a machine or mechanism: to stick, jam, or lock fast; to become unworkable, as by reason of undue heat or friction. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease activity [verb (intransitive)] > specifically of things, actions, or processes > specifically of a machine or mechanism
standc1175
to run down1665
stop1789
seize1878
to go phut1888
to cut out1910
conk1917
cut1938
trip out1940
phut1959
the world > movement > absence of movement > [verb (intransitive)] > cease to move or become motionless > be arrested or intercepted in progress
steek?a1400
sticka1450
lodge1611
intercept1612
catch1620
clog1633
jam1706
rake1725
fasten1744
set1756
hitch1897
seize1917
1878 A. Rigg Steam Engine 128 The surfaces of motion blocks and side bars are found to wear exceedingly well when..efficient lubrication exists; but in the event of failure in this respect the metallic surfaces become dry, and their friction engenders so much heat that there is a liability of a kind of union taking place between the two surfaces, technically called ‘seizing’.
1908 Westm. Gaz. 28 Sept. 10/3 We were given..paraffin for lubricating oil. Through this one of the bearings of our crank-axle ‘seized’.
1917 Blackwood's Mag. May 807/1 Our engine recovered slightly now that its recovery was not so important, and it behaved well until it seized up for better or worse when we had landed.
1963 Listener 31 Jan. 198/2 As for the camera itself, at 40 below zero the wind-on mechanism jammed and the range-finder seized up.
1981 P. Audemars Gone to her Death ii. 44 Better we should find the trouble on our hoist rather than having something seize up on the main road.
Derivatives
seize-up n. Mechanics the action or state of seizure (cf. sense 11).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > absence of movement > [noun] > state of cessation of movement > arrest of motion
arrestc1385
stop1544
checkc1555
stoppage1775
pull-up1834
arrestment1836
arresting1849
fetch-up1866
hold-back1888
seize-up1912
1912 Motor Man. (ed. 14) vi. 232 Unless one makes quite certain that every bearing and cylinder be properly relubricated before starting up again, a ‘seize-up’..is not improbable.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1912
v.c1290