possess

[ puh-zes ]

/ pəˈzɛs /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR possess ON THESAURUS.COM

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

Words nearby possess

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

Example sentences from the Web for possessor

The governor of reliably Blue New Jersey and possessor of an outsize personality, he commands attention.

Can Chris Christie Avoid the Giuliani Jinx? |Lloyd Green |August 12, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
He lived in princely style; was the possessor of numerous automobiles, coaches, and an expensive racing-stable.

The Extraordinary Adventures of Arsene Lupin, Gentleman-Burglar |Maurice Leblanc
What is likely to be the effect of the possession of power upon the possessor himself?

College Teaching |Paul Klapper
The players were seated in a half-circle, and the possessor of the ball faced the others.

The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland (Vol I of II) |Alice Bertha Gomme

Without the peaceable spirit it only renders its possessor a bully and a nuisance.

The Big Otter |R.M. Ballantyne
Any variation is "good" provided it be of advantage to its possessor.

Theism or Atheism |Chapman Cohen

British Dictionary definitions for possessor

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

possess

verb (used with object)

Origin of possess

synonym study for possess

OTHER WORDS FROM possess

Words nearby possess

Example sentences from the Web for possessor

British Dictionary definitions for possessor

verb (tr)

Derived forms of possess

Word Origin for possess

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

possess

verb (used with object)

Origin of possess

synonym study for possess

OTHER WORDS FROM possess

Words nearby possess

Words related to possessor

Example sentences from the Web for possessor

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for possessor

verb (tr)

Derived forms of possess

Word Origin for possess

British Dictionary definitions for possessor