Main Entry: pos·sess

Pronunciation: \pə-ˈzes also -ˈses\

Function: transitive verb

Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French possesser to have possession of, take possession of, from Latin possessus, past participle of possidēre, from potis able, having the power + sedēre to sit — more at potent, sit

Date: 14th century

1 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