Portuguese

Verb

possuir ‎(first-person singular present indicative possuo, past participle possuído)

1. to possess; to have; to own

   Possuo dois automóveis.‎

   (I) have two automobiles.

2. to have as a quality or characteristic

   Esta frase possui cinco palavras.‎

   This phrase has five words.

3. to control; to hold (exercise influence over)

   O cristianismo possuia a Europa durante a Idade Média.‎

   Christianity controlled Europe during the Middle Ages.

4. (spiritualism) to possess (to take control of someone’s body or mind in a supernatural manner)

   Graças ao exorcismo, João livrou-se do demônio que o havia possuído.‎

   Thanks to the exorcism, John got rid of the demon who had possessed him.

5. to overwhelm (to overpower emotionally)

   O medo nos possuiu.‎

   Fear overwhelmed us.

6. (proscribed) to have (to be related to)

   Eu possuo dois filhos.‎

   I have two children

Conjugation

Synonyms

• (to own): deter, haver (obsolete), ter
• (to have as a quality or characteristic):, conter, ter
• (to control):, controlar, dominar, subjugar
• (to overwhelm emotionally):, dominar

Antonyms

• (to have as a quality or characteristic):, carecer de
• (to possess in a supernatural manner):, exorcisar

Related terms