Inflected forms: pos·sessed, pos·sess·ing, pos·sess·es 1. To have as property; own. 2. To have as a quality, characteristic, or other attribute: possessed great tact.3. To acquire mastery of or have knowledge of: possess valuable data.4a. To gain or exert influence or control over; dominate: Fury possessed me.b. To control or maintain (one's nature) in a particular condition: I possessed my temper despite the insult.5. To cause to own, hold, or master something, such as property or knowledge: She possessed herself of the unclaimed goods.6. To cause to be influenced or controlled, as by an idea or emotion: The thought of getting rich possessed him.7.Obsolete To gain or seize.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English possessen, from Old French possesser, from Latin possidre, possess- : pos-, as master; see poti- in Appendix I + sedre, to sit; see sed- in Appendix I.
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re, possess- : pos-, as master; see poti- in Appendix I + sed
