possess
To have as, or as if as, an ownerTo have (something) as, or as if as, an owner; to have, to own.
» Can you tell me what possessed you to do that?
Скажи, що таке у тебе вселилося, що ти це зробив?
Meaning
16 senses(transitive)To have (something) as, or as if as, an owner; to have, to own.
He does not even possess a working telephone.
besitzen
облада́тьobladátʹ, владе́тьvladétʹ, име́тьimétʹ
володі́тиvolodíty
have ownership or possession of
(transitive)Of an idea, thought, etc.: to dominate (someone's mind); to strongly influence.
(transitive)Of a supernatural entity, especially one regarded as evil: to take control of (an animal or person's body or mind).
They thought he was possessed by evil spirits.
besitzen
(also, literary, poetic, reflexive, transitive)Of a person: to control or dominate (oneself or someone, or one's own or someone's heart, mind, etc.).
Of a person: to control or dominate (oneself or someone, or one's own or someone's heart, mind, etc.).
(also, literary, poetic, reflexive, transitive)To dominate (a person) sexually; to have sexual intercourse with (a person).
(transitive)To have control or possession of, but not to own (a chattel or an interest in land).
(intransitive)To dominate sexually; to have sexual intercourse with.
(intransitive)To inhabit or occupy a place.
(archaic, transitive)To cause an idea, thought, etc., to strongly affect or influence (someone); to inspire, to preoccupy.
What on earth possessed you to go walking by the quarry at midnight?
(archaic, transitive)To occupy the attention or time of (someone).
(also, archaic, literary, transitive)To obtain or seize (something); to gain, to win.
(also, archaic, reflexive, transitive)Chiefly followed by of or with: to vest ownership of something in (oneself or someone); to bestow upon, to endow.
Examples
247 sentencesCan you tell me what possessed you to do that?
Скажи, що таке у тебе вселилося, що ти це зробив? — deniko
Tom says he possesses telepathic ability.
ruТом говорит, что у него есть телепатические способности. — marafon
What could've possessed Tom to do that?
Tom successfully convinced many people he possessed paranormal powers.
Can you tell us what possessed you to do that?
ruМожешь ли ты рассказать нам, что заставило тебя сделать это? — Balamax
Translations
9 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 1
By meaning 1
Forms
possesses, possessing, possessed, possessedSynonyms
6 synonymsAntonyms
4 antonymsWord family
39 related wordsLessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle