Definition

1. Verb:
   • To have or own something: To possess something means to have it as a property or belonging.
   • To have as a quality, feature, or skill: To possess a particular characteristic, knowledge, or ability.
   • To dominate or control, as of a feeling or spirit: To be controlled or strongly influenced by a powerful emotion, idea, or even a supernatural force.

Usage and Examples

• To have or own:
  • He possesses three houses. (He owns three houses.)
  • The museum possesses a rare collection of artifacts. (The museum has/owns a rare collection.)
• To have as a quality or skill:
  • She possesses great patience. (She has great patience as a characteristic.)
  • He possesses a deep knowledge of history. (He has deep historical knowledge.)
• To be dominated or controlled by:
  • A sudden fear possessed her. (A sudden fear took control of her.)
  • What possessed you to say that? (What idea or impulse controlled you, making you say that?)

Advanced Usage

• To be possessed of something: A formal way to say "to have" a quality or thing.
  • She is possessed of remarkable intelligence. (She has remarkable intelligence.)
• To possess oneself of something: To acquire or take control of something for oneself.
  • He sought to possess himself of the property. (He sought to acquire the property.)

Variants and Related Words

• Possession (n): The state of having or owning something.
  • The documents are in his possession.
• Possessive (adj): Showing a desire to own or control; in grammar, showing ownership.
  • He has a possessive nature. / "John's" is the possessive form.
• Possessed (adj): Controlled as if by a demon or strong emotion.
  • He fought like a man possessed. (He fought with uncontrollable intensity.)

Synonyms

• Own: To have something as one's property.
• Have: To hold or own.
• Hold: To have or keep in one's possession.
• Be endowed with: To naturally have a quality or ability (often used for positive traits).

Idioms and Phrases

• Like one possessed / Like all possessed: With extreme energy or intensity, as if controlled by an outside force.
  • She worked like one possessed to finish the project on time.
• What possessed you (to do something)?: A rhetorical question expressing shock or disbelief about someone's foolish or surprising action.
  • What possessed you to go out in that storm?

Verb

1. enter into and control, as of emotions or ideas
   • What possessed you to buy this house?
   • A terrible rage possessed her
2. have ownership or possession of
   • He owns three houses in Florida
   • How many cars does she have?
3. have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill
   • he possesses great knowledge about the Middle East