possessed

[ puh-zest ]

/ pəˈzɛst /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR possessed ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

spurred or moved by a strong feeling, madness, or a supernatural power (often followed by by, of, or with): The army fought as if possessed. The village believed her to be possessed of the devil.

self-possessed; poised.

Idioms for possessed

possessed of, having; possessing: He is possessed of intelligence and ambition.

Origin of possessed

First recorded in 1525–35; possess + -ed²

OTHER WORDS FROM possessed

pos·sess·ed·ly

[puh-zes-id-lee, -zest-lee] /pəˈzɛs ɪd li, -ˈzɛst li/, adverb pos·sess·ed·ness, noun non·pos·sessed, adjective un·pos·sessed, adjective

Words nearby possessed

poss., posse, posse comitatus, posser, possess, possessed, possessed by, possessed, the, possession, possession is nine points of the law, possession order

Definition for possessed (2 of 3)

possess

[ puh-zes ]

/ pəˈzɛs /

verb (used with object)

to have as belonging to one; have as property; own: to possess a house and a car.

to have as a faculty, quality, or the like: to possess courage.

(of a spirit, especially an evil one) to occupy, dominate, or control (a person) from within: He thought he was possessed by devils.

(of a feeling, idea, etc.) to dominate or actuate in the manner of such a spirit: He was possessed by envy.

(of a man) to succeed in having sexual intercourse with.

to have knowledge of: to possess a language.

to keep or maintain (oneself, one's mind, etc.) in a certain state, as of peace, patience, etc.

to maintain control over (oneself, one's mind, etc.).

to impart to; inform; familiarize (often followed by of or with): to possess someone of the facts of the case.

to cause to be dominated or influenced, as by an idea, feeling, etc.

to make (someone) owner, holder, or master, as of property, information, etc.: He possessed them of the facts.

to seize or take.

to gain or win.

to occupy or hold.

Origin of possess

1425–75; late Middle English possesen < Middle French possess(i)er, noun derivative of possession possession

synonym study for possess

1. See have.

OTHER WORDS FROM possess

pos·ses·sor, noun pos·ses·sor·ship, noun un·der·pos·ses·sor, noun un·pos·sess·ing, adjective

Definition for possessed (3 of 3)

Possessed, The

noun

a novel (1871) by Dostoevsky.

Example sentences from the Web for possessed

They possessed “wisdom beyond their years,” observed The Advocate.

The Rise and Fall of Chris Hughes and Sean Eldridge, America’s Worst Gay Power Couple |James Kirchick |December 9, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
For both the possessed and the priest-practitioner, driving out the devil can be dangerous to mind, body and spirit.

Pope Francis Gives Blessing to Exorcist Conference |Barbie Latza Nadeau |October 29, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Yet each saw in the other a winner who possessed native intelligence.

Will the Real Jim Palmer Please Stand Up |Tom Boswell |September 27, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
We are not aware of anyone in our office who possessed or saw the video before it was made public.

It’s Time to Get More Women in the NFL Boardroom |Robert Silverman |September 12, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

He was so possessed by his own destiny he would never allow his armies even a tactical retreat, which turned out to be disastrous.

Ron Rosenbaum on Hitler, Hollywood, and Quantifying Evil |William O’Connor |July 26, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Real knowledge concerning fur dressing and dyeing is possessed only by those actually engaged in the industry.

Principles and Practice of Fur Dressing and Fur Dyeing |William E. Austin
She had a power over this young man; she could arouse all the latent nobility which he possessed.

The Honorable Miss |L. T. Meade
But Geoffrey possessed all the stubborn determination of a true Englishman.

The Vicar's People |George Manville Fenn
The girl's mind, perhaps because it was imbued already with the subject, had possessed itself of what filled her mother's.

The Kentons |William Dean Howells
She was a lady highly educated for that day, and possessed of a mind of unusual power.

Home Life of Great Authors |Hattie Tyng Griswold

British Dictionary definitions for possessed (1 of 2)

possessed

/ (pəˈzɛst) /

adjective

(foll by of) owning or having

(usually postpositive) under the influence of a powerful force, such as a spirit or strong emotion

a less common word for self-possessed

British Dictionary definitions for possessed (2 of 2)

possess

/ (pəˈzɛs) /

verb (tr)

to have as one's property; own

to have as a quality, faculty, characteristic, etc to possess good eyesight

to have knowledge or mastery of to possess a little French

to gain control over or dominate whatever possessed you to act so foolishly?

(foll by of) to cause to be the owner or possessor I am possessed of the necessary information

(often foll by with) to cause to be influenced or dominated (by) the news possessed him with anger

to have sexual intercourse with

rare to keep control over or maintain (oneself or one's feelings) in a certain state or condition possess yourself in patience until I tell you the news

archaic to gain or seize

Derived forms of possess

possessor, noun

Word Origin for possess

C15: from Old French possesser, from Latin possidēre to own, occupy; related to Latin sedēre to sit

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

possessed

adjective

Idioms for possessed

Origin of possessed

OTHER WORDS FROM possessed

Words nearby possessed

Definition for possessed (2 of 3)

verb (used with object)

Origin of possess

synonym study for possess

OTHER WORDS FROM possess

Definition for possessed (3 of 3)

noun

Example sentences from the Web for possessed

British Dictionary definitions for possessed (1 of 2)

adjective

British Dictionary definitions for possessed (2 of 2)

verb (tr)

Derived forms of possess

Word Origin for possess

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

possessed

adjective

Idioms for possessed

Origin of possessed

OTHER WORDS FROM possessed

Words nearby possessed

Definition for possessed (2 of 3)

verb (used with object)

Origin of possess

synonym study for possess

OTHER WORDS FROM possess

Definition for possessed (3 of 3)

noun

Words related to possessed

Example sentences from the Web for possessed

British Dictionary definitions for possessed (1 of 2)

adjective

British Dictionary definitions for possessed (2 of 2)

verb (tr)

Derived forms of possess

Word Origin for possess