Possess
Pronunciation
- IPA: /pəˈzɛs/
- Rhymes: -ɛs
Origin
- From Latin possessus, past participle of possÄ«deÅ.
Full definition of possess
Verb
- (transitive) To have; to have ownership of.He does not even possess a working telephone.
- 1818, Mary Shelley, Frankenstein, Volume 3, Chapter 7:..., the companions of our childhood always possess a certain power over our minds, which hardly any later friend can obtain.
- 1922, Ben Travers, A Cuckoo in the Nest Chapter 1, He read the letter aloud. Sophia listened with the studied air of one for whom, even in these days, a title possessed some surreptitious allurement.
- (transitive) To take control of someone's body or mind, especially in a supernatural manner.They thought he was possessed by evil spirits.
- (transitive, dated, with of) To vest ownership in (someone); to give someone power or knowledge; to acquaint; to inform.
- 1599, William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing,LEONATO. I cannot bid you bid my daughter live;That were impossible; but, I pray you both,Possess the people in Messina hereHow innocent she died;
- 1599, William Shakespeare, Twelth Night, II, 3Toby Belch Possess us, possess us'''; tell us something of him.