possess
have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill
How often you will meet it
Rank 2,691 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 6,197 times across 155,139 chapters — 0.003% of every word in the library.
What it means
verb
- have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill he possesses great knowledge about the Middle East
- have ownership or possession of also: own, have He owns three houses in FloridaHow many cars does she have?
- enter into and control, as of emotions or ideas What possessed you to buy this house?A terrible rage possessed her
possess in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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He let the vision possess him as they climbed the hill to the house.
Ethan Frome · Edith Wharton · Chapter 1
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To justify their own barbarism they assume a chivalry which they do not possess.
The Red Record Tabulated Statistics · Ida B. Wells-Barnett · Chapter 1
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Iwanich longed to possess such an animal, and promised the mare to follow her advice.
The Yellow Fairy Book: The Grateful Beasts · World Traditions (Celtic, Norse, Asian & Persian) · Chapter 1
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And did a secret sympathy possess That tender soul, and for the slave's redress Lend hope, strength, patience?
Pennsylvania Pilgrim, and other poems Part 6 From — Volume I · John Greenleaf Whittier · Chapter 1
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It was clear that whatever the mystery pertaining to the Scotchman, Simeon Stagg seemed to possess some knowledge of it.
The Shadow of a Crime: A Cumbrian Romance · Hall, Sir Caine · Chapter 1