emparer

to seize, take hold of

verb ahm-pah-REH Less Common

Usage Note

emparer is almost always used reflexively as s'emparer de — 'to seize', 'to take over'. The non-reflexive form is rare and dated. L'armée s'est emparée de la ville means 'the army seized the city'. It implies forceful or sudden acquisition, unlike the neutral prendre.

Examples

"Il s'est emparé du ballon."

Natural Translation

He seized the ball.

Literal Translation

He himself seized the ball.

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