Possess

Pronunciation

• IPA: /pəˈzÉ›s/
• Rhymes: -É›s

Origin

• From Latin possessus, past participle of possÄ«deō.

Full definition of possess

Verb

1. (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.
2. (transitive) To take control of someone's body or mind, especially in a supernatural manner.
   They thought he was possessed by evil spirits.
3. (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.

Synonyms

• ((with of), to vest ownership) seise
• (qualities or characteristics) inhold