possess - Dictionary Definition : Vocabulary.com

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.

Related words are possessive (describing those who hold onto people or things in a controlling way), and possessed, as in a person being possessed by an idea or even by a demon. This verb is from Middle French possesser "to own," from Latin possidēre, from potis "able, having the power" plus sedēre "to sit."

PRIMARY MEANINGS OF: possess

1	v	have ownership or possession of
2	v	enter into and control, as of emotions or ideas

FULL DEFINITIONS OF: possess

1

v have ownership or possession of

Synonyms:: have, own

: feature, have
have as a feature

Types:: prepossess
possess beforehand

v have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill

“he possesses great knowledge about the Middle East”

Types:: exhibit
show an attribute, property, knowledge, or skill; phosphoresce
to exhibit phosphorescence

Type of:: feature, have
have as a feature

2

v enter into and control, as of emotions or ideas

“What possessed you to buy this house?”

“A terrible rage possessed her”

Type of:: dominate
be in control