transitive. Of a physical, emotional, or mental state: to come upon or affect strongly and suddenly; to (threaten to) overcome; to afflict. Also in…

transitive. Of a feeling, etc.: to come upon (a person) suddenly and forcibly. Of a person: to be seized, overtaken, affected violently with (also of)…

To cause (a person) to be overwhelmed or seized with (terror, amazement, grief; rarely delight, love). Also of the feeling: To seize.

transitive. To affect (esp. a person) with some quality, esp. a feeling, to communicate a feeling to (a person). Of a feeling: to take hold of…

In various figurative uses. With impersonal subject, e.g. death, disease, calamity: To oppress or attack suddenly. Also of a fear, a belief, etc…