possessed

American  

[puh-zest] / pəˈzɛst /

adjective

1. spurred or moved by a strong feeling, madness, or a supernatural power (often followed by by, of, orwith ).

   The army fought as if possessed. The village believed her to be possessed of the devil.

2. self-possessed; poised.

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idioms

1. possessed of, having; possessing.

   He is possessed of intelligence and ambition.

possessed British  

/ 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

3. a less common word for self-possessed

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Other Word Forms

• nonpossessed adjective
• possessedly adverb
• possessedness noun
• unpossessed adjective

Etymology

Origin of possessed

First recorded in 1525–35; possess + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Eager to protect their own profession, male practitioners—from physicians to male midwives—portrayed women as ignorant and sure to do harm or, conversely, possessed of “dangerous” knowledge.

From The Wall Street Journal

But the qualities it upholds are as worthy as ever, and someone once thought I possessed them.

From The Wall Street Journal

A possessed vacuum cleaner sparks a revolution in “A Useful Ghost,” a satire that’s “Brazil” by way of Bangkok.

From Los Angeles Times

The absence of hierarchy unlocked in them what the author calls “a connective energy they didn’t know they possessed.”

From The Wall Street Journal

But these technologies have created comprehensive digital profiles that previous generations never possessed.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• consumed
• enchanted
• haunted