prepossess
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to possess or dominate mentally beforehand, as a prejudice does.
-
to prejudice or bias, especially favorably.
-
to impress favorably beforehand or at the outset.
verb
-
to preoccupy or engross mentally
-
to influence in advance for or against a person or thing; prejudice; bias
-
to make a favourable impression on beforehand
Etymology
Origin of prepossess
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
His aim is to explore the Antarctic coast south of Australia and prepossess it for his dominion.
From Time Magazine Archive
Moreover, not only did the facility of conquering the French prepossess him in favour of this journal; but also the circumstance that it—cost him nothing.
From Translations from the German (Vol 3 of 3) Tales by Musaeus, Tieck, Richter by Carlyle, Thomas
"Miss Woodley is severe upon me, Madam," continued he, "she judges me unkindly; and I am afraid she will prepossess you with the same unfavourable sentiments."
From A Simple Story by Strachey, G. L.
This was regarded as a threat, and did not help to prepossess the members favorably in regard to the feeling with which the king was to meet them.
From Charles I Makers of History by Abbott, Jacob
I am not going to prepossess you against even our village scold, by telling her name.
From Deerbrook by Martineau, Harriet
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
