to be seized of

1 definition found

to be seized of - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  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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