possess
/pəˈzɛs/ verb B1- To have (something) as, or as if as, an owner; to have, to own. · He does not even possess a working telephone.
- Of an idea, thought, etc.: to dominate (someone's mind); to strongly influence.
- Of a supernatural entity, especially one regarded as evil: to take control of (an animal or person's body or mind). · They thought he was possessed by evil spirits.
- Of a person: to control or dominate (oneself or someone, or one's own or someone's heart, mind, etc.).
- To dominate (a person) sexually; to have sexual intercourse with (a person).
- To have control or possession of, but not to own (a chattel or an interest in land).
- To dominate sexually; to have sexual intercourse with.
- To inhabit or occupy a place.
Plural possess · He/she/it possesses · Past possessed · Past participle possessed · -ing form possessing
Verb forms
- Base form
- possess
- He/she/it
- possesses
- Past
- possessed
- Past participle
- possessed
- -ing form
- possessing
From the library
There was a self-possessed young lady connected with these accessories; and Pitcher was there to construe her.
And it is certain that she looked at Chandler, with his animated but self-possessed manner and his kindling and frank blue eyes, with something not far from admiration in her own charming face.
Spencer, bustling her guests through the hall into the parlor, where a deadly chill struck on them as if the air had been strained so long through dark green, closely drawn blinds that it had lost every particle of warmth it had ever possessed.
Diana did Anne’s front hair in the new pompadour style and Anne tied Diana’s bows with the especial knack she possessed; and they experimented with at least half a dozen different ways of arranging their back hair.
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