Seizures

n. sudden attack of disease (such as epilepsy); expropriation, confiscation; instance of taking control

A seizure is a temporary abnormal electro-physiologic phenomenon of the brain, resulting in abnormal synchronization of electrical neuronal activity. It can manifest as an alteration in mental state, tonic or clonic movements, convulsions, and various other psychic symptoms (such as déjà vu or jamais vu). It is caused by a temporary abnormal electrical activity of a group of brain cells. The medical syndrome of recurrent, unprovoked seizures is termed epilepsy, but some seizures may occur in people who do not have epilepsy.
See more at Wikipedia.org...

Seizure /sei·zure/ 1. the sudden attack or recurrence of a disease. 2. a single episode of epilepsy, often named for the type it represents. [more]Seizures - Community and Resources

Noun
1. a sudden occurrence (or recurrence) of a disease; "he suffered an epileptic seizure"
(synonym) ictus, raptus
(hypernym) attack
(hyponym) convulsion
2. the act of forcibly dispossessing an owner of property
(synonym) capture, gaining control
(hypernym) acquiring, getting
(hyponym) usurpation
(derivation) appropriate, capture, seize, conquer
3. the act of taking of a person by force
(synonym) capture
(hypernym) felony
(hyponym) abduction
(derivation) seize
4. the taking possession of something by legal process
(hypernym) appropriation
(hyponym) confiscation, arrogation
(derivation) impound, attach, sequester, confiscate, seize

Property, including cash, real estate, vehicles, etc., used or acquired through illegal activities, that is taken by law enforcement officials. A decision is made by a court or civil authority regarding what will be done with the seizure.

The act of taking possession of the property of a person condemned by the judgment of a competent tribunal, to pay a certain sum of money, by a sheriff, constable, or other officer, lawfully authorized thereto, by virtue of an execution, for the purpose of having such property sold according to law to satisfy the judgment. By seizure is also meant the taking possession of goods for a violation of a public law; as the taking possession of a ship for attempting an illicit trade.

The seizure is complete as soon as the goods are within the power of the officer.

The taking of part of the goods in a house, however, by virtue of a fieri facias in the name of the whole, is a good seizure of all. As the seizure must be made by virtue of an execution, it is evident that it cannot be made after the return day.
   

This entry contains material from Bouvier's Legal Dictionary, a work published in the 1850's.