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   Pos·sess

   /pəˈzes/

   

   verb

   • 1. have as belonging to one; own: "I do not possess a television set" Similar ownhavebe the owner ofhave in one's possessionbe in possession ofbe the possessor ofhave to one's namehold
   • ▪ 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 humor" Similar havebe blessed withbe endowed withbe gifted withbe possessed ofbe born withenjoyboastbenefit fromarchaic:participate of
   • ▪ take for one's own: archaic "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" Similar take control ofhave power overtake overhave mastery overcast a spell overbewitchenchantenthrallcontroldominateinfluencemaddendrive madrare:bedevil
   • ▪ (of an emotion, idea, etc.) dominate the mind of; have an overpowering influence on: "I was possessed by a desire to tell her everything" Similar obsessdominatehauntpreoccupyconsumeeat someone upprey on someone's mindbecome an obsession withbe uppermost in someone's mindtake control of
   • 3. have sexual intercourse with (a woman): literary "he just wanted her, to possess her"
   • 4. maintain (oneself or one's mind or soul) in a state or condition of patience or quiet: archaic "I tried to possess my soul in patience and to forget how hungry I was"

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Old French possesser, from Latin possess- ‘occupied, held’, from the verb possidere, from potis ‘able, capable’ + sedere ‘sit’.

   Scrabble Points: 9

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2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › possessPossess Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › possess

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   The meaning of POSSESS is to have and hold as property : own. How to use possess in a sentence. to have and hold as property : own; to have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill; to seize and take control of : take into one's possession…

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishPOSSESS | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   POSSESS definition: 1. to have or own something, or to have a particular quality: 2. (of a wish or an idea) to take…. Learn more.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › possessPOSSESS Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › possess

   • Cached

   Possess definition: to have as belonging to one; have as property; own. See examples of POSSESS used in a sentence.

5. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › possessPossess - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › possess

   To possess something is to have or own it. You can possess a physical object, you can possess a particular quality or skill, or you can possess control or influence over someone.

6. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definitionpossess verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definition

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   Check pronunciation: possess. Definition of possess verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

7. www.thefreedictionary.com › possessPossess - definition of possess by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › possess

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   1. a. To have as property; own: possess great wealth. b. Law To have under one's power or control: possess illegal drugs. 2. a. To have as a quality, characteristic, or other attribute: possesses great tact. b. To have mastery or knowledge of: possess a knowledge of Sanskrit; possess valuable information. 3. a. To gain control or power over.

8. dictionary.cambridge.org › learner-english › possessPOSSESS | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › learner-english › possess

   • Cached

   to have or own something: Certainly, he possesses the skills for the job. He was found guilty of possessing an illegal weapon. what possessed her/him/you, etc? something that you say when someone has done something stupid: [ + to do sth ] What possessed you to tell him?