POSSESS


Meaning of POSSESS in English

■ verb

1》 have (something) belonging to one.

↘ Law have ~ion of as distinct from ownership.

2》 have as an ability, quality, or characteristic.

↘( ~ed of ) in ~ion of.

3》 [usu. as adjective ~ed ] (of a demon or spirit, especially an evil one) have complete power over.

4》 (of an emotion, idea, etc.) dominate the mind of.

5》 literary have sex with (a woman).

Phrases

what ~ed you? used to express surprise at an action regarded as extremely unwise.

Derivatives

~or noun

~ory adjective

Origin

ME: from OFr. ~er , from L. ~- , possidere 'occupy, hold'.

Concise Oxford English vocab.      Сжатый оксфордский словарь английского языка.