[a. F. capture (16th c. in Littré), ad. L. captūra taking, seizing, f. capt- ppl. stem of cap-ĕre to take: see -URE.]
1. The fact of seizing or taking forcibly, or by stratagem, or of being thus seized or taken; catching; seizure; arrest; esp. the seizing as a prize.
1541–2. in Pitcairn, Crim. Trials, 257*. Remission to John Lausone … for his capture and apprehension.
1611. Cotgr., Capture, a capture or taking.
1713. Guardian, No. 159. Being concerned in several captures, he brought home with him an estate of about twelve thousand pounds.
1841. Elphinstone, Hist. Ind., II. 197. After Akber’s capture of Ahmednagar.
1848. Arnould, Mar. Insur. (1866), II. III. ii. 706. Capture is … the forcible taking of a ship, &c., in time of war, with a view to appropriating it as prize.
1873. Morley, Rousseau, II. 124. The primitive usages of … marriages by capture, purchase, and the rest.
2. The prize, prey or booty so taken.
1706. in Phillips.
1750. Beawes, Lex Mercat. (1752), 213. It is allowable to bring a dubious Capture into Port.
1775. Johnson, West. Isl., Wks. X. 399. Produces a plentiful capture of herrings.
Mod. He had been butterfly-hunting, and now exhibited his captures.
