seizure

[ see-zher ]

noun

1. the act or an instance of seizing. seizing.
2. the state of being seized.
3. a taking possession of an item, property, or person legally or by force.
4. a sudden attack, as of epilepsy or some other disease.

seizure

/ ˈsiːʒə /

noun

1. the act or an instance of seizing or the state of being seized
2. pathol a sudden manifestation or recurrence of a disease, such as an epileptic convulsion

seizure

/ sē′zhər /

1. A sudden episode of transient neurologic symptoms such as involuntary muscle movements, sensory disturbances and altered consciousness. A seizure is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, which is often diagnosed on an electroencephalogram.
2. See also epilepsy

Other Words From

• non·seizure noun
• re·seizure noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of seizure¹

First recorded in 1475–85; seize + -ure

Example Sentences

The FDA in 2013 approved a system called the RNS Simulator that fires small, electrical signals into the brain to stop seizures for some patients with epilepsy.

From Vox

Refusal to comply with take-down orders are punishable by large fines and imprisonment, as well as the seizure of devices.

From Quartz

On top of the loss of products during seizures, many distributors have stopped coming to the area because of interactions with Border Patrol.

From Voice of San Diego

Indeed, both in the San Diego sector and nationally, drug seizures have been down for all drugs, except cannabis, since March, though it appears seizures are starting to increase again.

From Voice of San Diego

This, in turn, allows scientists to explore ways to automatically detect seizures.

From Singularity Hub 

Could the (thus far) timid trembling give way to a full-on, grand mal seizure?

From The Daily Beast

One man was having an epileptic seizure; one had a nosebleed; one had full-blown African Malaria; one had the flu.

From The Daily Beast

British officials suspect a criminal gang was responsible for the seizure but that he was later sold to ISIS.

From The Daily Beast

She then suffered an epileptic seizure and was treated with an appropriate medication.

From The Daily Beast

Imagine the impact you might have had if you had also spoken about the Russian seizure of Crimea.

From The Daily Beast

The seizure was made in legal form; the banker, who lost nothing, was bound to comply with it.

From Project Gutenberg

The peculiarity about a homestead is, it is protected by law from seizure by the owner's creditors.

From Project Gutenberg

Lucien de Rubempre consulted Desroches about the seizure of the furniture of Coralie, his mistress, in 1822.

From Project Gutenberg

Informed of their intention, the magistrates ordered a seizure of their papers.

From Project Gutenberg

With the seizure of each piece the Rebels cheered, and advanced with confident expectation of driving Sickles over the ridge.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• breakdown
• convulsion
• illness
• stroke