possess

 
Pronunciation: /pəˈzɛs/

verb

[with object]
  • 1have as belonging to one; own: I do not possess a television set
  • Law have possession of as distinct from ownership: a two-year suspended sentence for possessing cocaine
  • have as an ability, quality, or characteristic: he did not possess a sense of humour (be possessed of) a fading blonde possessed of a powerful soprano voice
  • (possess oneself of) archaic take for one’s own: all that the plaintiffs did was to possess themselves of the securities
  • 2(of a demon or spirit, especially an evil one) have complete power over (someone) and be manifested through their speech or actions: she was possessed by the Devil
  • (of an emotion, idea, etc.) dominate the mind of: I was possessed by a desire to tell her everything
  • 3 literary (of a man) have sexual intercourse with: he just wanted her, to possess her
  • 4 archaic maintain (oneself or one’s mind or soul) in a state of patience or quiet: I tried to possess my soul in patience
    [often with biblical allusion to Luke 21:19, the proper sense (‘gain your souls’) being misunderstood]

Phrases

what possessed you?

used to express surprise at an action regarded as extremely unwise: what possessed you to come here?

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French possesser, from Latin possess- 'occupied, held', from the verb possidere, from potis 'able, capable' + sedere 'sit'

Spelling help

Spell possess and the related words possession and possessive with a double s before and after the e.