Seise
Origin
Middle English, from Old French seisir ("to put in possession of", "to take possession of"), from Late Latin sacÄ«re, from Frankish *sakjan ("to sue, bring a legal charge against"), from Proto-Germanic *sakÅnÄ… ("to charge, seek legal action against"), from Proto-Indo-European *sÄg(')- ("to track"). Cognate with Old High German sahhan ("to argue, scold"), Old English sacian ("to strive, contend"). More at sake.
Full definition of seise
Verb
- (transitive, legal) To vest ownership of a freehold estate in (someone).
- 1997, Nigel Saul, The Oxford illustrated history of medieval England‎, 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 of, legal) To put in possession.
- 1878, Joshua Williams, The Seisin of the Freehold‎, 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
- 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 55/15Where 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.
- (dated) To seize.
Synonyms
- ((with of) to put in possession) possess
Usage notes
Usually used in passive.