The word 'possess' has several meanings: 1. To own or have something. 2. To have a quality or ability. 3. To strongly influence or control someone, especially emotions or beliefs. It's also used in phrases expressing surprise about someone's actions.
[VERB 动词]占有；拥有 If you possess something, you have it or own it.
[V n]
[no passive]
He was then arrested and charged with possessing an offensive weapon...
他随后被逮捕，并被控拥有攻击性武器。
He is said to possess a fortune of more than two-and-a-half-thousand million dollars.
据说他拥有超出25亿美元的财富。
2
[VERB 动词]具备，具有（特定品质、才能等） If someone or something possesses a particular quality, ability, or feature, they have it.
[V n]
[no cont]
[FORMAL 正式]
...individuals who are deemed to possess the qualities of sense, loyalty and discretion...
被认为具备了理性、忠诚和判断力的人
This figure has long been held to possess miraculous power.
这个数字长时间以来都被认为拥有神奇的力量。
3
[VERB 动词]（情感或信仰）影响，控制 If a feeling or belief possesses you, it strongly influences your thinking or behaviour.
[V n]
[LITERARY 文]
Absolute terror possessed her...
她恐惧到了极点。
Tsvetayeva was possessed by a frenzied urge to get out of Moscow.
茨维塔耶娃内心有一种想要离开莫斯科的狂热冲动。
4
See also:
possessed
；
5
[PHRASE 短语]（表示惊讶）是什么驱使…（干…），是什么促使…（做…） If you ask what possessed someone to do something, you are emphasizing your great surprise that they have done something which you consider foolish or dangerous.
[V inflects]
[feelings]
What on earth had possessed her to agree to marry him?
究竟是什么让她同意嫁给他的？
Oxford
pos·sess★/pəˈzes; NAmEpəˈzes/verb( not used in the progressive tenses 不用于进行时) 1★possesssth ( formal) to have or own sth 有；拥有◆He was charged with possessing a shotgun without a licence.他被控无照拥有猎枪。◆The gallery possesses a number of the artist's early works.这家画廊藏有一些那位画家的早期作品。2★possesssth ( formal) to have a particular quality or feature 具有（特质）◆I'm afraid he doesn't possess a sense of humour.恐怕他没有什么幽默感。3[usually passive ]possesssb ( literary) (of a feeling, an emotion, etc. 感觉、情绪等)to have a powerful effect on sb and control the way that they think, behave, etc. 攫住；支配；控制4possesssb to do sth ( used in negative sentences and questions 用于否定句和疑问句) to make sb do sth that seems strange or unreasonable 使言行失常◆What possessed him to say such a thing?他着了什么魔竟说出这种话来？possesspossessespossessedpossessingpos·sess/pəˈzes; NAmEpəˈzes/
LDC
possesspos‧sess /pəˈzes/ ●●○W3 verb [transitive]
Word Origin
Verb Table
Examples
Thesaurus
Collocations
Phrases
1formal to have a particular quality or ability: Different workers possess different skills. He no longer possessed the power to frighten her.RegisterIn everyday English, people usually say that someone has or has got something rather than possesses it:· They all have different skills.2formal or law to have or own something: Neither of them possessed a credit card. Campbell was found guilty of possessing heroin.► see thesaurus at
own
3what possessed somebody (to do something)? spoken used to say that you cannot understand why someone did something stupid: What on earth possessed her to do it?4literary if a feeling possesses you, you suddenly feel it very strongly and it affects your behaviour: A mad rage possessed her.GRAMMAR: Using the progressivePossess is not used in the progressive when it means ‘have’ or ‘own’. You say: · He possesses many good qualities.✗Don’t say: He is possessing many good qualities.Grammar guide ‒ VERBS
WDF
possess
[pəˈzes]possessed, possessing, possesses
CET4CET6TEM4考研TOEFL
v2859
12321
537
2529
2357
1289
5609
VERB3041
393320
Spoken:
224216792
possessed[7238] possesses[1850] possessing[949]
拥有(88%)，持有(10%)，支配(2%)
vt.控制；使掌握；持有；迷住；拥有，具备
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