seize (
http://definr.com/seize)
v 1: take hold of; grab; "The salesclerk quickly seized the money
on the counter"; "She clutched her purse"; "The mother
seized her child by the arm"; "Birds of prey often seize
small mammals" [syn:
prehend,
clutch]
2: take or capture by force; "The terrorists seized the
politicians"; "The rebels threaten to seize civilian
hostages"
3: take possession of without permission or take with force, as
after a conquest or invasion; "the invaders seized the
land and property of the inhabitants"; "The army seized
the town"; "The militia captured the castle" [syn:
appropriate,
capture,
conquer,
take over]
4: take by legal authority; "The FBI seized the drugs"; "The
customs agents impounded the illegal shipment"; "The
police confiscated the stolen artwork" [syn:
impound,
attach,
sequester,
confiscate]
5: take control of; take as one's right or possession; "He
assumed to himself the right to fill all positions in the
town"; "he usurped my rights"; "She seized control of the
throne after her husband died" [syn:
assume,
usurp, {take
over},
arrogate]
6: hook by a pull on the line; "strike a fish"
7: affect; "Fear seized the prisoners"; "The patient was seized
with unberable pains"; "He was seized with a dreadful
disease" [syn:
clutch,
get hold of]
8: capture the attention or imagination of; "This story will
grab you"; "The movie seized my imagination" [syn:
grab]