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

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

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