pos·sess 
(pə-zĕs)
(pə-zĕs)tr.v. pos·sessed, pos·sess·ing, pos·sess·es
1.
a. To have as property; own: possess great wealth.
b. Law To have under one's power or control: possess illegal drugs.
2.
a. To have as a quality, characteristic, or other attribute: possesses great tact.
b. To have mastery or knowledge of: possess a knowledge of Sanskrit; possess valuable information.
3.
a. To gain control or power over. Used of a demon or spirit.
b. To occupy fully the mind or feelings of: The dancers were possessed by the music.
c. Often Offensive To have sexual intercourse with (a woman).
d. Archaic To control or maintain (one's nature) in a particular condition: I possessed my temper despite the insult.
4. Archaic To cause (oneself) to own, hold, or master something, such as property or knowledge.
5. Archaic To gain or seize.
[Middle English possessen, from Old French possesser, from Latin possidēre, possess- : pos-, as master; see poti- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots + sedēre, to sit; see sed- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]
pos·sessor n.