Possess

Quick meaning: Possess is a verb meaning To have (something) as, or as if as, an owner; to have, to own.

Meaning

To have (something) as, or as if as, an owner; to have, to own.

More Meanings

1. Of an idea, thought, etc.: to dominate (someone's mind); to strongly influence.
2. Of a supernatural entity, especially one regarded as evil: to take control of (an animal or person's body or mind).
3. Of a person: to control or dominate (oneself or someone, or one's own or someone's heart, mind, etc.).
4. To cause an idea, thought, etc., to strongly affect or influence (someone); to inspire, to preoccupy.
5. To occupy the attention or time of (someone).
6. To obtain or seize (something); to gain, to win.
7. Chiefly followed by of or with: to vest ownership of something in (oneself or someone); to bestow upon, to endow.

Example Sentences

He does not even possess a working telephone.

I am poſſeſt with an adulterate blot, / My bloud is mingled with the crime of luſt: […]

He read the letter aloud. Sophia listened with the studied air of one for whom, even in these days, a title possessed some surreptitious allurement.

[T]he ship turned and made slowly for her wharf under the wall, bringing even more fairly to view the life with which the river at that point was possessed.

Word Forms

• possesses
• possessing
• possessed
• possessest
• possessedst
• possesseth
• possest
• possesst

Synonyms for possess

Depending on context, synonyms include have, hold, inhold, seise.

Antonyms for possess

Common opposites include lose, dispossess, unpossess.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include have, ownership, possession, repossess, wield, occupy.

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