Embodies vs Possesses - What's the difference?
embodies | possesses |
(embody)
To represent in a physical form; to incarnate or personify
* South
* {{quote-news, year=2012, date=November 7, author=Matt Bai, title=Winning a Second Term, Obama Will Confront Familiar Headwinds, work=New York Times
, passage=The generational shift Mr. Obama once embodied is, in fact, well under way, but it will not change Washington as quickly — or as harmoniously — as a lot of voters once hoped.}}
To include or represent, especially as part of a cohesive whole
(possess)
To have; to have ownership of.
* 1818 , (Mary Shelley), (Frankenstein) , Volume 3, Chapter 7:
* {{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers), title=(A Cuckoo in the Nest)
, chapter=1 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) ,
* 1599 , (William Shakespeare), (Twelfth Night) , II, 3
As verbs the difference between embodies and possesses
is that embodies is (embody) while possesses is (possess).embodies
English
Verb
(head)embody
English
Verb
(en-verb)- As the car salesman approached, wearing a plaid suit and slicked-back hair, he seemed to embody sleaze.
- The soul, while it is embodied , can no more be divided from sin.
citation
- The US Constitution aimed to embody the ideals of diverse groups of people, from Puritans to Deists.
- The principle was recognized by some of the early Greek philosophers who embodied it in their systems.
Derived terms
* disembody * embodimentpossesses
English
Verb
(head)possess
English
Verb
(es)- [...], the companions of our childhood always possess a certain power over our minds, which hardly any later friend can obtain.
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.}}
- 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;
- [Sir Toby Belch] Possess' us, '''possess' us ; tell us something of him.
