Grabs or takes control of something suddenly and forcefully, or (of a disease or emotion) suddenly affects someone.
From Old French 'seisir' meaning to put in possession of or to take hold. Originally a legal term about property, but evolved to describe any sudden taking or grasping.
When someone 'seizes the day,' they're using medieval property law language—originally you'd 'seize' land to claim ownership, now we seize opportunities the same way.
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