English

Verb

possessed

1. simple past tense and past participle of possess

Adjective

possessed ‎(comparative more possessed, superlative most possessed)

1. controlled by evil spirits.

   He was exorcised because he was thought to be possessed by the Devil.

2. Seized by powerful emotions.
   • 1719, Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe:

     Oh, what ridiculous resolutions men take when possessed with fear!

3. (construed with of, not comparable) 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

Translations