possessing

verb

(transitive) To have (something) as, or as if as, an owner; to have, to own.

(transitive) Of an idea, thought, etc.: to dominate (someone's mind); to strongly influence.

(transitive) Of a supernatural entity, especially one regarded as evil: to take control of (an animal or person's body or mind).

(transitive) To dominate (a person) sexually; to have sexual intercourse with (a person).

(transitive) (law) To have control or possession of, but not to own (a chattel or an interest in land).

(transitive) (also reflexive, chiefly literary and poetic) Of a person: to control or dominate (oneself or someone, or one's own or someone's heart, mind, etc.).

(intransitive) To dominate sexually; to have sexual intercourse with.

(intransitive) To inhabit or occupy a place.

(transitive) (archaic) To cause an idea, thought, etc., to strongly affect or influence (someone); to inspire, to preoccupy.

(transitive) (archaic) To occupy the attention or time of (someone).

(transitive) (archaic) (also literary) To obtain or seize (something); to gain, to win.

(transitive) (archaic) (also reflexive) Chiefly followed by of or with: to vest ownership of something in (oneself or someone); to bestow upon, to endow.

(transitive) (obsolete) To give (someone) information or knowledge; to acquaint, to inform.

(transitive) (obsolete) To have the ability to use, or knowledge of (a language, a skill, etc.)

(transitive) (obsolete) To inhabit or occupy (a place).

(transitive) (obsolete) Chiefly followed by that: to convince or persuade (someone).

Roots

sedeosess- · Latin · sit

Synonyms & related words for possessing

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Words related to possessing

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Where does possessing come from?

The word possessing breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root sess-, from Latin sedeo (“sit”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.