POSSESS


Meaning of POSSESS in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ pəzes ]

( possesses, possessing, possessed)

1.

If you possess something, you have it or own it.

He was then arrested and charged with possessing an offensive weapon...

He is said to possess a fortune of more than two-and-a-half-thousand million dollars.

VERB : no passive , V n , V n

2.

If someone or something possesses a particular quality, ability, or feature, they have it. ( FORMAL )

...individuals who are deemed to possess the qualities of sense, loyalty and discretion...

VERB : no cont , V n

3.

see also possessed

4.

If you ask what possessed someone to do something, you are emphasizing your great surprise that they have done something which you consider foolish or dangerous.

What on earth had possessed her to agree to marry him?

PHRASE : V inflects [ feelings ]

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Английский словарь Коллинз COBUILD для изучающих язык на продвинутом уровне.