Capture, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Captured; p. pr. & vb. n. Capturing.]
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.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Capture, n.
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.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for capture; he lists it under arrest, catch.
Where he writes about it:
Capture is commonly used of seizure by armed force; as, to capture a ship, a fort, etc. — from arrest
The figurative uses of carry are very numerous; as, to carry an election, carry the country, carry (in the sense of capture) a fort, carry an audience, carry a stock of goods, etc. — from carry