prepossess

[ pree-puh-zes ]

/ ˌpri pəˈzɛs /

to possess or dominate mentally beforehand, as a prejudice does.

to prejudice or bias, especially favorably.

to impress favorably beforehand or at the outset.

Origin of prepossess

First recorded in 1605–15; pre- + possess

I am not going to prepossess you against even our village scold, by telling her name.

Deerbrook |Harriet Martineau
Good-breeding alone can prepossess people in our favour at first sight; more time being necessary to discover greater talents.

The Young Gentleman and Lady's Monitor, and English Teacher's Assistant |John Hamilton Moore
The neighbourhood of Badajoz did not prepossess me much in favour of the country which I had just entered.

The Bible in Spain |George Borrow
But again I ask, do not strive to prepossess me against him.

My Novel, Complete |Edward Bulwer-Lytton

Neither did the puff preliminary, which heralded the appearance of this volume, prepossess us strongly in its favour.

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846 |Various

prepossess

/ (ˌpriːpəˈzɛs) /

to preoccupy or engross mentally

to influence in advance for or against a person or thing; prejudice; bias

to make a favourable impression on beforehand