Definition of: possess

(pə·zes′) v.t.
1. To have as property; own.
2. To have as a quality, attribute, etc.: to possess a conscience.
3. To enter and exert control over; dominate: often used passively: He was possessed by a devil; The idea possessed him.
4. To maintain control over (oneself, one's mind, etc.): Possess yourself in patience.
5. To put in possession, as of property, news, etc.: with of.
6. To have knowledge of, as a language.
7. To imbue or impress, as with an idea: with with.
8. Obs. To seize; gain. See synonyms under HAVE, OCCUPY. [<OF possessier <L possessus, pp. of possidere possess]
—pos·ses′sor noun