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 possessorship

Suddenly, at the sight, a rage of possessorship awoke in her.

The Reef |Edith Wharton
He knew that he was touching a sensitive chord, for Bessy had to the full her sex's pride of possessorship.

The Fruit of the Tree |Edith Wharton
He experiences the overwhelming joy of possessorship, for she is his.

A Little Girl of Long Ago |Amanda Millie Douglas

British Dictionary definitions for possessorship

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 possessorship

British Dictionary definitions for possessorship

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 possessorship

Example sentences from the Web for possessorship

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

verb (tr)

Derived forms of possess

Word Origin for possess

British Dictionary definitions for possessorship