Dictionary

seise en · VERB

Etymology

From Middle English seisen, from Old French seisir (“to put in possession of", "to take possession of”), from Early Medieval Latin sacīre, from Frankish *sakjan (“to sue, bring a legal charge against”), from Proto-Germanic *sakōną (“to charge, seek legal action against”), from Proto-Indo-European *seh₂g- (“to track”). Cognate with Old High German sahhan (“to argue, scold”), Old English sacian (“to strive, contend”). More at sake.

Meanings

1. (transitive) To vest ownership of an estate in land (to someone).
   • There a baron was created and seised by the king in a single act. His tenure was a function of his personal relationship with his lord king. 1997, Nigel Saul, The Oxford illustrated history of medieval England, page 74:
2. (transitive, with-of) To put in possession.
   • He then died intestate; and I observed that his heir-at-law was not actually seised of Whiteacre, the possession of which became vacant on his ancestor's death 1878, Joshua Williams, The Seisin of the Freehold, page 55:
   • Where the appeal committee is seised, it shall meet at the earliest 14 days, except in duly justified cases, and at the latest 6 weeks, after the date of referral. 2011, Article 3 section 7, Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011, Official Journal of the European Union L 55/15
3. (archaic) To seize.
4. 1798, Francis Lathom, chapter 6, in The Midnight Bell, volume 1, page 164
5. 1798, Francis Lathom, chapter 6, in The Midnight Bell, volume 1, page 164: She shrieked, and endeavoured to pass him: he seised her hand, and exclaiming "my lucky stars are at length predominant," dragged her into the outer apartment. ▸ She shrieked, and endeavoured to pass him: he seised her hand, and exclaiming "my lucky stars are at length predominant," dragged her into the outer apartment.
6. 1798, Francis Lathom, chapter 11, in The Midnight Bell, volume 2, page 46
7. 1798, Francis Lathom, chapter 11, in The Midnight Bell, volume 2, page 46: Their astonishment at seeing me you may well conceive; they immediately seised and gagged me, and having some moments concerted how they should dispose of me, to prevent my appearing in evidence against them, which by signs I endeavoured to convince them I would not do, if they would depart, and suffer me to remain unmolested, they resolved on carrying me to what they called their cave. ▸ Their astonishment at seeing me you may well conceive; they immediately seised and gagged me, and having some moments concerted how they should dispose of me, to prevent my appearing in evidence against them, which by signs I endeavoured to convince them I would not do, if they would depart, and suffer me to remain unmolested, they resolved on carrying me to what they called their cave.

Forms

Synonyms

possess ((with of) to put in possession)