SEIZE
What does "SEIZE" mean?
To take hold of something suddenly and forcibly.
Meanings
- To grab or take hold of suddenly and firmly. She seized his arm before he could step off the curb.
- To take possession of by force or legal authority. Customs seized the unmarked crates at the border.
- To take quick advantage of an opportunity. He seized the chance to study abroad.
- Of a machine, to jam or lock up, often from heat or friction. The engine seized when the oil ran dry. technical
- To be suddenly overwhelmed by a strong emotion or condition. Panic seized the crowd as the lights went out.
Word origin
From Old French 'seisir' (to take possession, put in legal possession), from Medieval Latin 'sacire', probably of Germanic origin.
Remember it
SEIZE breaks the 'i before e' rule - it's one of the words that seizes the exception, with E before I after the S.
A little poem
The hawk does not deliberate the dive;
between the wanting and the having, nothing-
just the closing fist that keeps the world alive.
tercet
Wordplay
- Why is 'seize' a thief among words? It grabs the E before the I and refuses to give it back.
What it teaches
Opportunity rarely knocks twice, and never waits while you decide whether to answer.
Quick facts
What does SEIZE mean?
To take hold of something suddenly and forcibly.
Is SEIZE a valid word?
Yes — SEIZE is one of the answer words in Wordul, the daily word game.
How many letters is SEIZE?
SEIZE has 5 letters and 1 syllable.
Where does SEIZE come from?
From Old French 'seisir' (to take possession, put in legal possession), from Medieval Latin 'sacire', probably of Germanic origin.
What can SEIZE teach us?
Opportunity rarely knocks twice, and never waits while you decide whether to answer.
How players do
Be the first to solve it.