capture Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the act of forcibly dispossessing an owner of property
    seizure; gaining control.
  2. noun a process whereby a star or planet holds an object in its gravitational field
  3. noun any process in which an atomic or nuclear system acquires an additional particle
  4. noun the act of taking of a person by force
    seizure.
  5. noun the removal of an opponent's piece from the chess board
  6. verb succeed in representing or expressing something intangible
    • capture the essence of Spring
    • capture an idea
  7. verb attract; cause to be enamored
    entrance; bewitch; fascinate; enamour; trance; captivate; beguile; charm; catch; becharm; enchant; enamor.
    • She captured all the men's hearts
  8. verb succeed in catching or seizing, especially after a chase
    catch; get.
    • We finally got the suspect
    • Did you catch the thief?
  9. verb bring about the capture of an elementary particle or celestial body and causing it enter a new orbit
    • This nucleus has captured the slow-moving neutrons
    • The star captured a comet
  10. verb take possession of by force, as after an invasion
    appropriate; conquer; seize.
    • the invaders seized the land and property of the inhabitants
    • The army seized the town
    • The militia captured the castle
  11. verb capture as if by hunting, snaring, or trapping
    catch.
    • I caught a rabbit in the trap today

WordNet

Cap"ture noun
Etymology
L. capture, fr. caper to take: cf. F. capture. See Caitiff, and cf. aptive.
Definitions
  1. The act of seizing by force, or getting possession of by superior power or by stratagem; as, the capture of an enemy, a vessel, or a criminal.
    Even with regard to captures made at sea. Bluckstone.
  2. The securing of an object of strife or desire, as by the power of some attraction.
  3. The thing taken by force, surprise, or stratagem; a prize; prey. Syn. -- Seizure; apprehension; arrest; detention.
Cap"ture transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Captured ; present participle & verbal noun Capturing
Definitions
  1. To seize or take possession of by force, surprise, or stratagem; to overcome and hold; to secure by effort.
    Her heart is like some fortress that has been captured. W. Ivring.

Webster 1913