possessed

[ puh-zest ]
See synonyms for possessed on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. 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.

  2. self-possessed; poised.

Idioms about possessed

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

Origin of possessed

1
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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use possessed in a sentence

  • Seemingly possessed by demons, she would slip objects from the homes of rich people they visited into her pocketbook.

  • The children possessed themselves of the tent, and Mrs. Pontellier went over to join them.

  • Tausig possessed this repose in a technical way, and his touch was marvellous; but he never drew the tears to your eyes.

  • Aunt Ri, at her best estate, had never possessed a room which had the expression of this poor little mud hut of Ramona's.

    Ramona | Helen Hunt Jackson
  • He had not taken his nerves into consideration for the simple reason that he had never known that he possessed any.

    Uncanny Tales | Various
  • Jean Baptiste possessed great personality, and to be near one was to effect that one with it.

    The Homesteader | Oscar Micheaux

British Dictionary definitions for possessed

possessed

/ (pəˈzɛst) /


adjective
  1. (foll by of) owning or having

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

  1. a less common word for self-possessed

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012