noun

seizure

SEE-zhuhr

Seizure (noun) means a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, causing symptoms such as convulsions, stiffening, staring, confusion or loss of consciousness. Repeated unprovoked seizures are what define epilepsy. Example: “She had two seizures in the night and was kept in for observation.”

noun

A sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, causing symptoms such as convulsions, stiffening, staring, confusion or loss of consciousness. Repeated unprovoked seizures are what define epilepsy.

"She had two seizures in the night and was kept in for observation."

"Not all seizures involve shaking; some look like a few seconds of blankness."

legal The act of taking possession of property, goods or assets by legal authority or by force.

"The seizure of the vessel and its cargo was upheld by the court."

"Border officers reported a record seizure of counterfeit goods."

The taking of control of a place, position or power, usually suddenly and by force.

"The seizure of the broadcasting station was the first sign of the coup."

How to Use Seizure

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA sudden electrical storm in the brain that can cause shaking, stiffening or blanking out; also the act of taking something by legal force.

When to use it

Neutral in both medical and legal contexts; the plural seizures is the usual form when discussing the medical sense.

Memory tip

Say a person has or had a seizure, not that they took one.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

epilepsy → convulsion stroke →

Common pairings

have a seizure seizure disorder focal seizure asset seizure

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She had two _____ in the night and was kept in for observation.

Etymology

From seize, from Old French saisir, meaning to take possession of, from which the medical sense developed via the older idea of being seized by an illness.

Origin: Old French

Synonyms

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fit convulsion attack episode confiscation impounding forfeiture appropriation capture takeover occupation

Antonyms

release restitution

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Rhymes for seizure

pure cure sure azure nature future manure secure impure injure figure allure

See all rhymes for seizure →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a seizure and epilepsy?

A seizure is a single event. Epilepsy is the ongoing condition diagnosed when someone has a tendency to repeated seizures that are not caused by a temporary trigger, so a person can have a seizure once, from a high fever or head injury, without having epilepsy.

What should you do when someone is having a seizure?

Keep them safe rather than restrain them: move hard objects away, cushion the head, and never put anything in their mouth. Time it, and call emergency services if it lasts more than five minutes, repeats without recovery, or the person is injured, pregnant or not breathing normally afterwards.

What is the difference between a seizure and a fit?

They describe the same event. Seizure is the clinical term used by doctors, while fit is the informal everyday word, now discouraged in medical settings.

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