to seize upon

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.
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            For by no means the high bank he could seize.
                                                  --Spenser.
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            Seek you to seize and gripe into your hands
            The royalties and rights of banished Hereford?
                                                  --Shak.
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   2. To take possession of by force.
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            At last they seize
            The scepter, and regard not David's sons. --Milton.
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   3. To invade suddenly; to take sudden hold of; to come upon
      suddenly; as, a fever seizes a patient.
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            Hope and deubt alternate seize her seul. --Pope.
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   4. (law) To take possession of by virtue of a warrant or
      other legal authority; as, the sheriff seized the debtor's
      goods.
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   5. To fasten; to fix. [Obs.]
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            As when a bear hath seized her cruel claws
            Upon the carcass of some beast too weak. --Spenser.
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   6. To grap with the mind; to comprehend fully and distinctly;
      as, to seize an idea.
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   7. (Naut.) To bind or fasten together with a lashing of small
      stuff, as yarn or marline; as, to seize ropes.
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   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.
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   {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.
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   Syn: To catch; grasp; clutch; snatch; apprehend; arrest;
        take; capture.
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