pos·sessed
(pə-zĕst́)
adjective
- Owning or mastering something. Used with of: one who is possessed of great wealth.
- Controlled by or as if by a spirit or other force; obsessed: a teenager by love possessed.
- Calm; collected: one who remained possessed in times of great trial.
usage note
Usage Note: When the adjective possessed means “owning a thing, exhibiting an attribute,” it is followed by the preposition of: possessed of property; possessed of a sharp tongue. When possessed means “obsessed,” by or with follows: possessed by (or with ) an urge to kill.
pos·sess
(pə-zĕś)
[Middle English possessen, from Old French possesser, from Latin possidēre, possess-, pos-, as master, + sedēre, to sit.]
transitive verb: -sessed, -sess·ing, -sess·es.
- To have as property; own.
- To have as a quality, characteristic, or other attribute: possessed great tact.
- To acquire mastery of or have knowledge of: possess valuable data.
- To gain or exert influence or control over; dominate: Fury possessed me.
- To control or maintain (one's nature) in a particular condition: I possessed my temper despite the insult.
- To cause to own, hold, or master something, such as property or knowledge: She possessed herself of the unclaimed goods.
- To cause to be influenced or controlled, as by an idea or emotion: The thought of getting rich possessed him.
- Obsolete To gain or seize.
derivatives
- pos·seśsor
- noun
