Possess Possessed Possession Control C B Possessing Verb

pos·sess
\\pə-ˈzes also -ˈses\\ transitive verb1.
  a. to have and hold as property :

own

  b. to have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill
2.
  a. to take into one's possession
  b. to enter into and control firmly :

dominate

      was possessed by demons
  c. to bring or cause to fall under the influence, possession, or control of some emotional or intellectual response or reaction
      melancholy possesses her
3.
  a. obsolete : to instate as owner
  b. to make the owner or holder — used in passive construction to indicate simple possession
      possessed of riches
      possessed of knowledge and experience
• pos·ses·sor noun

possess
  mid-15c., "to hold, occupy, reside in" (without regard to ownership), from O.Fr. possessier (mid-13c.), from L. possess-, pp. stem of possidere "to possess." Meaning "to hold as property" is recorded from c.1500. Demonic sense is recorded from 1530s (implied in possessed). Possessive first attested 1520s in grammatical sense.

☞ possess
pos·sess / pE5zes / verb (not used in the progressive tenses 不用于进行时)
1. [VN] (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.
   这座画廊藏有那位画家的一些早期作品。
2. [VN] (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. [VN] [usually passive] (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
4. [VN to inf] (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？

possess verb

pos·sess
\pə]ˈzes, pō], ]ˈses\ transitive verb
(-ed/-ing/-es)
Etymology: Middle English possessen, from Middle French possesser, from Latin possessus, past participle of possidēre to own, possess (from potis able, possible + -sidēre, from sedēre to sit) & possidĕre to take possession of, from potis + sidere to sit down, from the stem of sedēre to sit — more at ,
1.
 a. obsolete : , :
 b. : to make (as a person) the owner or holder (as of property, power, or knowledge) : — used with of or with
  < I will possess you of that ship and treasure — Shakespeare >
 c. : to be in possession of (something) :
  < possessed of riches >
  < possessed of a strong back >
2. obsolete : to be located or situated at : ,
3.
 a. : to have and hold as property : have a just right to : be master of :
  < possessing lands and money >
 b. : to have as a property, adjunct, attribute, or other collateral quality
  < possesses great patience >
  < possessing the respect of his fellows >
 c. : to have knowledge of or skill in
  < possessing several languages besides his native tongue >
4.
 a. : to take into one's possession : seize or gain control of : make one's own
  < this the regal seat: possess it, York — Shakespeare >
 b. : to enter into and influence powerfully or control :
  < possessed of a demon >
  < what could have possessed him to act so >
  < a man possessed with rage >
 c. : to bring or cause to fall under the influence, possession, or control of some emotional or intellectual reaction
  < periodically possessed with a melancholy reserve >
 d. : to maintain or keep in a usually specified condition (as of control or tranquillity)
  < possessing himself firmly in the face of provocation >
  < the need to possess one's soul in patience >
 e. archaic
  (1) : , ,
  (2) : to impart information to : ,
 f. : to copulate with
5. obsolete : to occupy or engross the thoughts of

Synonyms: see