Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

            For by no means the high bank he could seize.
                                                  --Spenser.

            Seek you to seize and gripe into your hands The
            royalties and rights of banished Hereford? --Shak.

Source : WordNet®

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 by force, as after an 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}]
     4: take temporary possession of as a security, 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: seize and take control without authority and possibly with
        force; 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}]