1. (

• seize ,
• prehend ,
• clutch

) take hold of; grab; "The sales clerk quickly seized the money on the counter"; "She clutched her purse"; "The mother seized her child by the arm"; "Birds of prey often seize small mammals" ;

2. (

• cling_to ,
• hold_close ,
• hold_tight ,
• clutch ,

) hold firmly, usually with one's hands; "She clutched my arm when she got scared" ;

3. (

• seize ,
• clutch ,
• get_hold_of

) affect; "Fear seized the prisoners"; "The patient was seized with unbearable pains"; "He was seized with a dreadful disease" ;