释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024pos•sess /pəˈzɛs/USA pronunciation v. [~ + object]- to have (something) as belonging to one;
own:[not: be + ~-ing]Everything they possessed was lost in the war. - to have as a part of one's mind, or as a quality:[not: be + ~-ing]She possesses great wit.
- (of a spirit, esp. an evil one) to control (a person) from within:possessed by demons.
- (of a feeling, etc.) to influence in the manner of such a spirit:A raging fury possessed him.[~ + object + to + verb]What in the world possessed you to do this?
pos•ses•sor, n. [countable] WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024pos•sess (pə zes′),USA pronunciation v.t. - to have as belonging to one;
have as property; own:to possess a house and a car. - to have as a faculty, quality, or the like:to possess courage.
- (of a spirit, esp. an evil one) to occupy, dominate, or control (a person) from within:He thought he was possessed by devils.
- (of a feeling, idea, etc.) to dominate or actuate in the manner of such a spirit:He was possessed by envy.
- (of a man) to succeed in having sexual intercourse with.
- to have knowledge of:to possess a language.
- to keep or maintain (oneself, one's mind, etc.) in a certain state, as of peace, patience, etc.
- to maintain control over (oneself, one's mind, etc.).
- to impart to;
inform; familiarize (often fol. by of or with):to possess someone of the facts of the case. - to cause to be dominated or influenced, as by an idea, feeling, etc.
- to make (someone) owner, holder, or master, as of property, information, etc.:He possessed them of the facts.
- to seize or take.
- to gain or win.
- to occupy or hold.
- Middle French possess(i)er, noun, nominal derivative of possession possession
- late Middle English possesen 1425–75
pos•ses′sor, n. pos•ses′sor•ship′, n. - 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged See have.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: possess /pəˈzɛs/ vb (transitive)- to have as one's property; own
- to have as a quality, faculty, characteristic, etc: to possess good eyesight
- to have knowledge or mastery of: to possess a little French
- to gain control over or dominate: whatever possessed you to act so foolishly?
- (followed by of) to cause to be the owner or possessor: I am possessed of the necessary information
- to have sexual intercourse with
- rare to keep control over or maintain (oneself or one's feelings) in a certain state or condition: possess yourself in patience until I tell you the news
Etymology: 15th Century: from Old French possesser, from Latin possidēre to own, occupy; related to Latin sedēre to sitposˈsessor n |