possess

American  

[puh-zes] / pəˈzɛs /

verb (used with object)

1. to have as belonging to one; have as property; own.

   to possess a house and a car.

2. to have as a faculty, quality, or the like.

   to possess courage.

3. (of a spirit, especially an evil one) to occupy, dominate, or control (a person) from within.

   He thought he was possessed by devils.

4. (of a feeling, idea, etc.) to dominate or actuate in the manner of such a spirit.

   He was possessed by envy.

5. (of a man) to succeed in having sexual intercourse with.

6. to have knowledge of.

   to possess a language.

7. to keep or maintain (oneself, one's mind, etc.) in a certain state, as of peace, patience, etc.

8. to maintain control over (oneself, one's mind, etc.).

9. to impart to; inform; familiarize (often followed by of orwith ).

   to possess someone of the facts of the case.

10. to cause to be dominated or influenced, as by an idea, feeling, etc.

11. to make (someone) owner, holder, or master, as of property, information, etc..

    He possessed them of the facts.

12. to seize or take.

13. to gain or win.

14. to occupy or hold.

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possess British  

/ pəˈzɛs /

verb

1. to have as one's property; own

2. to have as a quality, faculty, characteristic, etc

   to possess good eyesight

3. to have knowledge or mastery of

   to possess a little French

4. to gain control over or dominate

   whatever possessed you to act so foolishly?

5. (foll by of) to cause to be the owner or possessor

   I am possessed of the necessary information

6. (often foll by with) to cause to be influenced or dominated (by)

   the news possessed him with anger

7. to have sexual intercourse with

8. 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

9. archaic to gain or seize

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Related Words

See have.

Other Word Forms

• possessor
  noun
• possessorship
  noun
• underpossessor
  noun
• unpossessing
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of possess

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English possesen, from Middle French possess(i)er, noun derived from possession possession

Explanation

To possess something is to have or own it. You can possess a physical object, you can possess a particular quality or skill, or you can possess control or influence over someone. Related words are possessive (describing those who hold onto people or things in a controlling way), and possessed, as in a person being possessed by an idea or even by a demon. This verb is from Middle French posséder "to own," from Latin possidēre, from potis "able, having the power" plus sedēre "to sit."

Example Sentences

Possess any soldier; knock over any item on the desk; and figure out the puzzles on your own.

From Forbes • Oct. 9, 2013

Arise, oh Lord, and let thy Son Possess his universal Throne, And rule the nations with his rod; He is our Judge, and he our God.

From The Trial of Theodore Parker For the "Misdemeanor" of a Speech in Faneuil Hall against Kidnapping, before the Circuit Court of the United States, at Boston, April 3, 1855, with the Defence by Parker, Theodore

The wildest cairn, the darkest dell, Within thy rocky strand, Possess o'er me a living spell— Thou art my native land.

From The Modern Scottish Minstrel, Volume V. The Songs of Scotland of the Past Half Century by Rogers, Charles

But only during life do the words of the sphinx Possess a meaning for our ears.

From Fifty Contemporary One-Act Plays by Various

Possess yourself, therefore, of any cheap work on botany containing outline plates of leaves and flowers, it does not matter whether bad or good: "Baxter's British Flowering Plants" is quite good enough.

From The Crown of Wild Olive also Munera Pulveris; Pre-Raphaelitism; Aratra Pentelici; The Ethics of the Dust; Fiction, Fair and Foul; The Elements of Drawing by Ruskin, John

Related Words

• acquire
• carry
• enjoy
• maintain
• occupy
• own
• retain
• seize