释义 |
possesspossess /pəˈzɛs/ ●●○ W3 verb [transitive not in progressive] ETYMOLOGYpossessOrigin: 1300-1400 Old French possesser, from Latin possidere VERB TABLEpossess |
Present | I, you, we, they | possess | | he, she, it | possesses | Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | possessed | Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have possessed | | he, she, it | has possessed | Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had possessed | Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will possess | Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have possessed |
THESAURUSto legally have something because you have bought it, been given it, etc.► ownto legally have something because you have bought it, been given it, etc.: They own a small electronics company. The horse is owned by a Saudi businessman. ► have if you have something, you own it and it is available for you to use: How many students have a cell phone? ► something belongs to somebody if something belongs to you, it is yours: The ring belonged to my grandmother, but she gave it to me. Who does this jacket belong to? ► possess formal to own or have something. Used especially in legal language to talk about having something illegal: Philips was charged with possessing cocaine. She doesn’t drive and doesn’t possess a car. 1formal to own or have something, especially something valuable, important, or illegal SYN have, own: Too many nations already possess chemical weapons. Neither of them possesses a credit card.► see thesaurus at own22formal to have an ability, quality, etc. SYN have: Every worker possesses valuable skills.3what possessed somebody (to do something)? spoken said when you cannot understand why someone did something: I don’t know what possessed me to buy such an ugly dress.4literary if a feeling possesses you, you suddenly feel it very strongly and it affects your behavior: Rage possessed her.5if an evil spirit possesses someone, it takes control of his or her mind [Origin: 1300–1400 Old French possesser, from Latin possidere] |