{
    "term": "seize",
    "partOfSpeech": "verb",
    "ox5000": true,
    "cefr": "c1",
    "verbForms": {
        "presentSimple": {
            "iYouWeThey": "seize",
            "heSheIt": "seizes"
        },
        "pastSimple": "seized",
        "pastParticiple": "seized",
        "ingForm": "seizing"
    },
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "to take somebody/something in your hand suddenly and using force",
            "sensetop": "seize something from somebodyseize somebody/something",
            "cefr": "c1",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "She tried to seize the gun from him.",
                    "contextForm": "seize something from somebody"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He seized her by the arm.",
                    "contextForm": "seize somebody/something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "She **seized hold of** my hand."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He seized the book from her hand."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The wrestlers try to seize hold of each other."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adverb": ["immediately", "suddenly"],
                "preposition": ["by", "from"],
                "phrases": ["seize hold of somebody/​something"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "to take control of a place or situation, often suddenly and violently",
            "sensetop": "seize something (from somebody)",
            "cefr": "c1",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "They seized the airport in a surprise attack."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The army has **seized control of** the country."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He **seized power** in a military coup."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "to arrest or capture somebody",
            "sensetop": "seize somebody",
            "cefr": "c1",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The men were seized as they left the building."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Terrorists have seized five hostages."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He was immediately seized and thrown into prison."
                },
                {
                    "text": "A Briton has been seized by border guards and jailed for eight years."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Law and justice", "Crime and punishment"],
            "collocations": {
                "adverb": ["immediately", "suddenly"],
                "preposition": ["by", "from"],
                "phrases": ["seize hold of somebody/​something"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 4,
            "definition": "to take illegal or stolen goods away from somebody",
            "sensetop": "seize something",
            "cefr": "c1",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "A large quantity of drugs was seized during the raid."
                },
                {
                    "text": "We have the legal right to seize his property."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adverb": ["immediately", "instantly", "quickly"],
                "verb + seize": ["be quick to", "be ready to", "be determined to"],
                "preposition": ["on", "upon"],
                "phrases": [
                    "an attempt to seize something",
                    "the power to seize something",
                    "the right to seize something"
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 5,
            "definition": "to be quick to make use of a chance, an opportunity, etc.",
            "sensetop": "seize a chance, an opportunity, the initiative, etc.",
            "cefr": "c1",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The party **seized** the initiative **with both hands** *(= quickly and with enthusiasm)*."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She promptly seized the opportunity his absence gave her."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adverb": ["immediately", "instantly", "quickly"],
                "verb + seize": ["be quick to", "be ready to", "be determined to"],
                "preposition": ["on", "upon"],
                "phrases": [
                    "an attempt to seize something",
                    "the power to seize something",
                    "the right to seize something"
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 6,
            "definition": "to affect somebody suddenly and deeply",
            "sensetop": "seize somebody",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Panic seized her."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He was seized by curiosity."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 7,
            "definition": "if a machine seizes, it no longer works because the parts are stuck and cannot move",
            "labels": "(North American English)British and North American English",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 8,
            "definition": "if a part of your body seizes, you are unable to move it easily and it is often painful",
            "labels": "(North American English)British and North American English",
            "examples": []
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/siːz/",
                "audio": "se/seize/seize__gb_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈsiːzɪz/",
                "audio": "se/seize/seizes__gb_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/siːzd/",
                "audio": "se/seize/seized__gb_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈsiːzɪŋ/",
                "audio": "se/seize/seizing__gb_1.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/siːz/",
                "audio": "se/seize/seize__us_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈsiːzɪz/",
                "audio": "se/seize/seizes__us_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/siːzd/",
                "audio": "se/seize/seized__us_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈsiːzɪŋ/",
                "audio": "se/seize/seizing__us_2.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "Middle English: from Old French seizir ‘give seisin (possession of land)’, from medieval Latin sacire, in the phrase ad proprium sacire ‘claim as one's own’, from a Germanic base meaning ‘procedure’."
}