possess

verb

puh-ZES/pəˈzɛs/

15 meanings of possess

1
verbtransitive
To own something or have it as yours.
Like having a toy that belongs only to you.
They possess a small farm near the river.
She possesses three rare paintings from the same period.
Similarown, have, hold, boast
Oppositelack
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2
verbtransitive
When an evil spirit takes control of a person's body or mind.
Like a puppet controlled by someone pulling the strings.
The villagers believed a demon could possess anyone who entered the cave.
In the film, an evil spirit possesses a young girl.
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3
verbtransitive
When an idea or feeling fills your mind and controls how you think.
Like a song stuck in your head that you cannot stop thinking about.
A strange fear seemed to possess him whenever he stood near the edge.
The same wild idea possesses her every spring.
Similarconsume, obsess, grip, dominate, haunt
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4
verbliteraryreflexivetransitive
To keep control of yourself or your own feelings.
Like a driver staying calm and keeping both hands on the wheel.
She tried to possess her temper during the long meeting.
He could not possess his anger any longer.
Similarmaster, control, contain, govern, restrain
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5
verbtransitive
To hold or control something without actually owning it.
Like borrowing a friend's bike: you can use it, but it is still theirs.
A tenant can possess the land without owning it.
The renters possess the apartment, but the landlord still owns it.
Similarhold, occupy
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6
verbliteraryreflexivetransitive
To have sex with someone, especially in a way that shows power over them.
In the old ballad, the knight longs to possess the maiden he loves.
He believed no man could ever truly possess her.
Similarhave, take
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7
verbintransitive
To live or stay in a place.
Doſt thou thinke in time / She will not quench, and let inſtructions enter / Where Folly now poſſeſſes?
1611, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Cymbeline”Here, possesses means lives or stays, so where foolishness now lives.
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8
verbarchaictransitive
To get or take something for yourself.
Like grabbing the last prize before anyone else can reach it.
The settlers hoped to possess the fertile valley beyond the hills.
By nightfall the rebels possessed the entire fortress.
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9
verbarchaicreflexivetransitive
To give someone ownership of something, or to provide them with it.
Like handing someone the keys so the house becomes truly theirs.
The old will sought to possess his nephew of the family estate.
A peep at Wolf Larsen showed me that he had not moved. A bright thought struck me. I stole into his state-room and possessed myself of his revolvers.
1904, Jack London, The Sea-Wolf (Macmillan’s Standard Library)Here, possessed myself of means took the revolvers for myself.
Similarendow
Oppositedispossess
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10
verbarchaictransitive
To fill someone's mind with a strong idea or feeling.
Like a teacher getting the whole class excited about a new game.
The preacher tried to possess the crowd with hope.
What a ſtrange drowſines poſſeſſes them?
1610, William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”Here, possesses means takes hold of them, so a strong drowsiness fills them.
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11
verbarchaictransitive
To take up someone's time or attention.
Like a video game that takes up all your free time.
Household duties seemed to possess her every waking hour.
The new project possesses all of his attention these days.
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12
verbobsoletetransitive
To know a language or skill well enough to use it.
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13
verbobsoletetransitive
To make someone believe or agree to something.
Like talking a friend into believing you are telling the truth.
The merchant tried to possess the judge that he was innocent.
Her calm words finally possessed him that all was well.
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14
verbobsoletetransitive
To give someone information so they know what is happening.
Like handing a friend a note so they know what happened.
Let me possess you of the facts before you decide.
To[by Belch]. Poſſeſſe vs, poſſeſſe vs, tell vs ſomething of him. / Mar[ia]. Marrie ſir, ſometimes he is a kinde of Puritane.
c. 1601, William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or What You Will”Here, possess means to tell or inform, so tell us about him.
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15
verbobsoletetransitive
To live in or take up a place.
When those bells / Possessed the mid-day air, / Strove not her steps to reach my side / Down all the echoing stair?
1870, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, “[Poems.] The Blessed Damozel.”Here, possessed means filled or took up the air.
Wherefore getting out again, on that ſide next to his own Houſe; he [Pliable] told me, I ſhould poſſeſs the brave Countrey alone for him: ſo he went his way, and I came mine.
1678, John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress from This WorldHere, possess means to live in or have the country.
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Practice

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Origin

It comes from Latin possidere, meaning to have, hold, or own. This was formed from potis, meaning able or capable, and sedere, meaning to sit.