Possession is nine points of the law
Actually holding something is better than merely claiming it. For example, When Karen told John he must return the sofa he’d borrowed, he said possession is nine points of the law. This term originally alluded to nine elements that would aid someone’s lawsuit, among them a good lawyer, good witnesses, a good jury, a good judge, and good luck. In time, however, the term was used more for squatter’s rights. [ Late 1500s ]
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- Possession order
noun 1. (in Britain) a court order that entitles a landlord legally to evict a tenant or squatter and regain possession of the property
- Possessive
[puh-zes-iv] /pəˈzɛs ɪv/ adjective 1. jealously opposed to the personal independence of, or to any influence other than one’s own upon, a child, spouse, etc. 2. desirous of possessing, especially excessively so: Young children are so possessive they will not allow others to play with their toys; a possessive lover. 3. of or relating to […]
- Possessive-adjective
noun, Grammar. 1. See at (def 4a).
- Possessively
[puh-zes-iv] /pəˈzɛs ɪv/ adjective 1. jealously opposed to the personal independence of, or to any influence other than one’s own upon, a child, spouse, etc. 2. desirous of possessing, especially excessively so: Young children are so possessive they will not allow others to play with their toys; a possessive lover. 3. of or relating to […]
- Possessiveness
[puh-zes-iv] /pəˈzɛs ɪv/ adjective 1. jealously opposed to the personal independence of, or to any influence other than one’s own upon, a child, spouse, etc. 2. desirous of possessing, especially excessively so: Young children are so possessive they will not allow others to play with their toys; a possessive lover. 3. of or relating to […]