Etymology Map
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Seize

3 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means to take hold of suddenly and forcibly

Where does the word "seize" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin sacire, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
sacire
Medieval Latin · medieval
"to claim, lay hold of"
a Frankish legal term latinized in Merovingian law
2
Stage 2 of 3
seisir
Old French · medieval
"to take possession"
feudal law: to put someone in possession of land
3
Stage 3 of 3
seize
English · 1200s
"to take possession"
the engine sense, 'to jam', dates from the 1900s
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Read the full story

Seize’s story begins in Medieval Latin: sacire meant “to claim, lay hold of.” A Frankish legal term latinized in Merovingian law. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as seisir. Feudal law: to put someone in possession of land. It reached English by 1200s as seize. The engine sense, 'to jam', dates from the 1900s. Today, seize means to take hold of suddenly and forcibly.