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 ]