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.