Possessed

[puh-zest] /pəˈzɛst/

adjective
1.
spurred or moved by a strong feeling, madness, or a supernatural power (often followed by by, of, or with):
The army fought as if possessed. The village believed her to be possessed of the devil.
2.
self-possessed; poised.
Idioms
3.
possessed of, having; possessing:
He is possessed of intelligence and ambition.
[puh-zes] /pəˈzɛs/
verb (used with object)
1.
to have as belonging to one; have as property; own:
to possess a house and a car.
2.
to have as a faculty, quality, or the like:
to possess courage.
3.
(of a spirit, especially an evil one) to occupy, dominate, or control (a person) from within:
He thought he was possessed by devils.
4.
(of a feeling, idea, etc.) to dominate or actuate in the manner of such a spirit:
He was possessed by envy.
5.
(of a man) to succeed in having sexual intercourse with.
6.
to have knowledge of:
to possess a language.
7.
to keep or maintain (oneself, one’s mind, etc.) in a certain state, as of peace, patience, etc.
8.
to maintain control over (oneself, one’s mind, etc.).
9.
to impart to; inform; familiarize (often followed by of or with):
to possess someone of the facts of the case.
10.
to cause to be dominated or influenced, as by an idea, feeling, etc.
11.
to make (someone) owner, holder, or master, as of property, information, etc.:
He possessed them of the facts.
12.
to seize or take.
13.
to gain or win.
14.
to occupy or hold.
noun
1.
a novel (1871) by Dostoevsky.
/pəˈzɛst/
adjective
1.
(foll by of) owning or having
2.
(usually postpositive) under the influence of a powerful force, such as a spirit or strong emotion
3.
a less common word for self-possessed
/pəˈzɛs/
verb (transitive)
1.
to have as one’s property; own
2.
to have as a quality, faculty, characteristic, etc: to possess good eyesight
3.
to have knowledge or mastery of: to possess a little French
4.
to gain control over or dominate: whatever possessed you to act so foolishly?
5.
(foll by of) to cause to be the owner or possessor: I am possessed of the necessary information
6.
(often foll by with) to cause to be influenced or dominated (by): the news possessed him with anger
7.
to have sexual intercourse with
8.
(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
9.
(archaic) to gain or seize
adj.

“controlled by an indwelling demon,” 1530s, past participle adjective from possess (v.).
v.

late 14c., “to hold, occupy, reside in” (without regard to ownership), a back formation from possession and in part from Old French possesser “to have and hold, take, be in possession of” (mid-13c.), from Latin possess-, past participle stem of possidere “to have and hold, possess, be master of, own,” from posse “to be able,” from potis “able, powerful” (see potent) + esse “to be” (see be). Meaning “to hold as property” is recorded from c.1500. Demonic sense is recorded from 1530s (implied in possessed). Related: Possessed; possessing.