OriginFrom 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.
- transitiveTo 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.”
- transitive, with-ofTo 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”
“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.”
- archaicTo seize.
Formsseises(present, singular, third-person) · seising(participle, present) · seised(participle, past) · seised(past) · seize(alternative)