obsess
[uh b-ses]
- to dominate or preoccupy the thoughts, feelings, or desires of (a person); beset, trouble, or haunt persistently or abnormally: Suspicion obsessed him.
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- to think about something unceasingly or persistently; dwell obsessively upon something.
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Origin of obsess
Synonyms
See more synonyms for obsess on Thesaurus.com1. possess, control, haunt.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
obsess
- (tr; when passive, foll by with or by) to preoccupy completely; haunt
- (intr; usually foll by on or over) to worry neurotically or obsessively; brood
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Word Origin
C16: from Latin obsessus besieged, past participle of obsidēre, from ob- in front of + sedēre to sit
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for obsessor
obsess
v.
c.1500, "to besiege," from Latin obsessus, past participle of obsidere "watch closely; besiege, occupy; stay, remain, abide" literally "sit opposite to," from ob "against" (see ob-) + sedere "sit" (see sedentary). Of evil spirits, "to haunt," from 1530s. Psychological sense is 20c. Related: Obsessed; obsessing.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper