Possess
/pΙΛzΙs/noun
To have ownership or control over something.
Did you know?In medieval folklore, possession was often linked to demonic influence, believed to grant the possessed extraordinary powers but at great personal cost.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sed-
βto sit, settle, or be at rest, implying control or dominance over a space.β
Latin
Latin
possidere
βto sit upon, to hold or occupy, a term used in legal contexts for ownership.β
Old French
Old French
possession
βthe act of owning or holding something, often used in legal and spiritual contexts.β
Middle English
Middle English
possessen
βto hold or control, especially in reference to land or properties.β
Modern English
English
possess
βto have control or ownership, with connotations of spiritual or emotional ties.β