n. [ L. capture, fr. caper to take: cf. F. capture. See Caitiff, and cf. aptive. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Even with regard to captures made at sea. Bluckstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The securing of an object of strife or desire, as by the power of some attraction. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The thing taken by force, surprise, or stratagem; a prize; prey.

Syn. -- Seizure; apprehension; arrest; detention. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Captured p. pr. & vb. n. Capturing. ] 1. To seize or take possession of by force, surprise, or stratagem; to overcome and hold; to secure by effort. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. to record or make a lasting representation of (sound or images); as, to capture an event on videotape; the artist captured the expression of grief on his face. [ PJC ]

3. (Games) to take control of, or remove from play; as, to capture a piece in chess. [ PJC ]

4. to exert a strong psychological influence on; as, to capture the heart of a maiden; to capture the attention of the nation. [ PJC ]

5. (Computers) to record (data) in a computer-readable form; as, to capture a transaction in a database. [ PJC ]

Her heart is like some fortress that has been captured. W. Ivring. [ 1913 Webster ]