seize

• Saisir ou attraper quelque chose fermement, capturer ou prendre possession de manière légale (confisquer), comprendre ou profiter d'une opportunité, submerger (en parlant d'émotions), et se bloquer ou se gripper (en parlant d'un mécanisme).

To take possession of something suddenly and forcefully; to grasp or grab; to eagerly accept an opportunity; to affect with sudden intensity; to jam or become stuck due to friction.

phrasal, inséparable

1. Grabbing or capturing forciblyB2informal

   To take hold of something quickly and forcefully, often against resistance or opposition.

   Saisir de force

   • The officer grabbed the suspect by the wrist.
   • She snatched the key from the table before it fell.
   • The invaders captured the city within hours.
   • He clutched the rope tightly to stop himself from falling.
   • The customs officials confiscated the smuggled goods.

   Synonymesapprehendcaptureclutchgrabgraspgripsnatchtake

   Antonymesdropfreegiveletliberateloosereleaserelinquishsurrenderyield

2. Confiscating property legallyC1formallegal

   To take control of something officially, especially by authorities, as a penalty or for legal reasons.

   saisir

   • The court ordered the company to forfeit the illegal gains.
   • Police confiscated a large shipment of counterfeit watches.
   • Customs officers impounded the vehicle at the border.
   • The government appropriated the land for public use.
   • The bank repossessed the house after the owners defaulted on the loan.

   Synonymesappropriatecommandeerconfiscateexpropriateimpoundsequestertake

   Antonymesgivereleaserestorereturn

3. Eagerly taking up an idea or opportunity (phrasal)B2informal

   To quickly and enthusiastically accept or make use of something, often an idea, excuse, or chance.

   saisir (une occasion, une idée)

   • She seized on the chance to study abroad.
   • The media seized upon the politician’s gaffe.
   • Critics quickly seized on the book’s controversial conclusion.
   • They seized on any excuse to postpone the meeting.
   • He seized upon my suggestion and developed it further.

   Synonymesembracefasten ongrabtake upwelcome

   Antonymesdeclineforgorefuserejectspurn

4. Overpowering suddenly (emotion or pain)C1informal

   To affect someone suddenly and strongly, taking control of their feelings or body.

   Saisir (émotion ou douleur)

   • A sudden panic came over her.
   • An uncontrollable rage took hold of the crowd.
   • A violent pain gripped his leg.
   • She was overcome by a wave of sadness.
   • Terror paralyzed the hikers when they saw the bear.

   Synonymesaffectgriphitovercomeoverwhelmpossessstrike

5. Jamming or binding (of machinery)B2informaltechnical

   To become stuck or stop moving because parts have been pressed together too tightly, typically due to lack of lubrication.

   Se gripper

   • The engine jammed up after running without oil.
   • The gears locked solid and refused to turn.
   • If you don’t maintain the pump, it might bind and break.
   • The brake calliper stuck, causing the wheel to overheat.
   • The chainsaw’s chain gummed up with resin and stopped.

   Synonymesbindfreezejamlock upstick

   Antonymesfreerelease

Variantes phrasalseize on