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Possessed vs Possesses - What's the difference?

possessed | possesses |

As verbs the difference between possessed and possesses

is that possessed is past tense of possess while possesses is third-person singular of possess.

As an adjective possessed

is controlled by evil spirits.

possessed

Verb

(head)
  • (possess)
  • Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • by evil spirits.
  • He was exorcised because he was thought to be possessed by the Devil.
  • Seized by powerful emotions.
  • * 1719 , :
  • Oh, what ridiculous resolutions men take when possessed with fear!
  • Having; owning.
  • The president was possessed of great wealth.
  • *1854 , Dickens, Hard Times :
  • *:'Girl number twenty unable to define a horse!' said Mr Gradgrind, for the general behoof of all the little pitchers. 'Girl number twenty possessed of no facts, in reference to one of the commonest of animals!'
  • Derived terms

    * self-possessed

    possesses

    English

    Verb

    (head)
  • (possess)

  • 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