possess

verb16

1. •
   to own something, or to have a quality or an ability

   • He does not even possess a working telephone.
2. •
   To have control or possession of, but not to own (a chattel or an interest in land).
3. •
   To have the ability to use, or knowledge of (a language, a skill, etc.)

   • And Mr. Holt found that Harry could read and write, and possessed the two languages of French and English very well, […] — 1852
4. •
   Of a supernatural entity, especially one regarded as evil: to take control of (an animal or person's body or mind).

   • They thought he was possessed by evil spirits.
5. •
   Of an idea, thought, etc.: to dominate (someone's mind); to strongly influence.

   • I am possest with an adulterate blot, / My bloud is mingled with the crime of lust: […] — 1594
6. •
   To cause an idea, thought, etc., to strongly affect or influence (someone); to inspire, to preoccupy.

   • What on earth possessed you to go walking by the quarry at midnight?
7. •
   [with oneself] (literary) Of a person: to control or dominate (oneself or someone, or one's own or someone's heart, mind, etc.).

   • Uneasy persons, who cannot possess their own minds, vent their spleen upon all who depend upon them; […] — 1711
8. •
   To inhabit or occupy a place.

   • Dost thou thinke in time / She will not quench, and let instructions enter / Where Folly now possesses? — 1611
9. •
   To dominate sexually; to have sexual intercourse with.
10. •
    [with oneself] (literary) To dominate (a person) sexually; to have sexual intercourse with (a person).

    • Now tell me how long you would haue her, after you haue possest her? — 1598
11. •
    (no longer used) To occupy the attention or time of (someone).

    • [W]hen he [Henry Wotton] was beyond seventy years of age he made this description of a part of the present pleasure that possest him, […] — 1653
12. •
    (no longer used) To inhabit or occupy (a place).

    • Wherefore getting out again, on that side next to his own House; he [Pliable] told me, I should possess the brave Countrey alone for him: so he went his way, and I came mine. — 1678
13. •
    (no longer used) To obtain or seize (something); to gain, to win.

    • [T]hey in secret counsell close conspird, / How to effect so hard an enterprize, / And to possesse the purpose they desird: […] — 1590
14. •
    [with oneself] (no longer used) Chiefly followed by of or with: to vest ownership of something in (oneself or someone); to bestow upon, to endow.

    • And for these great affaires do aske some charge, / Tovvards our assistance vve doe seaze to vs: / The Plate, coine, reuenevves, and moueables / VVhereof our Vnckle Gaunt did stand possest. — 1595
15. •
    (no longer used) Chiefly followed by that: to convince or persuade (someone).

    • By such malicious Insinuations, he had possess'd the Lady, that he was the only Man in the World, of a sound, pure, and untainted Constitution: […] — 1712
16. •
    (no longer used) To give (someone) information or knowledge; to acquaint, to inform.

    • I cannot bid you bid my daughter liue, / That were impossible, but I pray you both, / Possess the people in Messina here, / How innocent she died, […] — 1598