/peuh zesh"euhn/ , n.
1. the act or fact of possessing.
2. the state of being possessed.
3. ownership.
4. Law. actual holding or occupancy, either with or without rights of ownership.
5. a thing possessed: He packed all his possessions into one trunk.
6. possessions , property or wealth.
7. a territorial dominion of a state.
8. Sports.
a. physical control of the ball or puck by a player or team: He didn't have full possession when he was tackled.
b. the right of a team to put the ball into play: They had possession after the other team sank a free throw.
9. control over oneself, one's mind, etc.
10. domination, actuation, or obsession by a feeling, idea, etc.
11. the feeling or idea itself.
[ 1300-50; ME possession- (s. of possessio ) occupancy, act of occupying, equiv. to possess ( us ), ptp. of possidere to have in one's control, occupy (and, in active sense, ptp. of posidere to seize upon) (* pots-, akin to posse to be able + -sidere, comb. form of sedere to SIT 1 ; cf. HOST 1 ) + -ion- -ION ]
Syn. 1. tenure, occupation. 1, 3 . See custody .