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Corrupt vs Possess - What's the difference?

corrupt | possess |

In lang=en terms the difference between corrupt and possess

is that corrupt is to become putrid or tainted; to putrefy; to rot while possess is to take control of someone's body or mind, especially in a supernatural manner.

As verbs the difference between corrupt and possess

is that corrupt is to make ; to change from good to bad; to draw away from the right path; to deprave; to pervert while possess is to have; to have ownership of.

As an adjective corrupt

is in a depraved state; debased; perverted; morally degenerate; weak in morals.

corrupt

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • In a depraved state; debased; perverted; morally degenerate; weak in morals.
    • The government here is corrupt , so we'll emigrate to escape them.
  • * Shakespeare
    • At what ease / Might corrupt' minds procure knaves as ' corrupt / To swear against you.
  • Abounding in errors; not genuine or correct; in an invalid state.
    • The text of the manuscript is corrupt .
    It turned out that the program was corrupt - that's why it wouldn't open.
  • In a putrid state; spoiled; tainted; vitiated; unsound.
  • * Knolles
    • Who with such corrupt and pestilent bread would feed them.

    Usage notes

    * Nouns to which "corrupt" is often applied: practice, state, country, nation, regime, city, government, person, man, politician, leader, mayor, judge, member, minister, file, database, document, woman.

    Quotations

    * , Genesis 6:11 *: The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

    Synonyms

    * corrupted

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To make ; to change from good to bad; to draw away from the right path; to deprave; to pervert.
    • Don't you dare corrupt my son with those disgusting pictures!
  • * , Genesis 6:12
    • And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
  • To become putrid or tainted; to putrefy; to rot.
    • (Francis Bacon)
  • To debase or render impure by alterations or innovations; to falsify.
    • to corrupt language, or a holy text
  • To waste, spoil, or consume; to make worthless.
  • * Bible, Matthew vi. 19
    • Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt .

    Related terms

    * corruptible * corruption * incorruptible

    References

    * *

    possess

    English

    Verb

    (es)
  • To have; to have ownership of.
  • * 1818 , (Mary Shelley), (Frankenstein) , Volume 3, Chapter 7:
    • [...], the companions of our childhood always possess a certain power over our minds, which hardly any later friend can obtain.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers), title=(A Cuckoo in the Nest)
    • , chapter=1 citation , passage=He read the letter aloud. Sophia listened with the studied air of one for whom, even in these days, a title possessed some surreptitious allurement.}}
  • To take control of someone's body or mind, especially in a supernatural manner.
  • To vest ownership in (someone); to give someone power or knowledge; to acquaint; to inform.
  • * 1599 , (William Shakespeare), (Much Ado About Nothing) ,
    • LEONATO. I cannot bid you bid my daughter live;
    That were impossible; but, I pray you both,
    Possess the people in Messina here
    How innocent she died;
  • * 1599 , (William Shakespeare), (Twelfth Night) , II, 3
    • [Sir Toby Belch] Possess' us, '''possess' us ; tell us something of him.

    Quotations

    *

    Synonyms

    * seise * (qualities or characteristics) inhold