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# possess

verb (possess, possesses, possessed, possessing)

«possess» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (formal) To own or have something. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/possess/#m1)
2. (formal) To have a quality or skill. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/possess/#m2)
3. (of a feeling or spirit) To take control of someone's mind, as in stories about ghosts. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/possess/#m3)
4. (informal, in questions) "What possessed you?" = why on earth did you do that? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/possess/#m4)

### In the lessons

A formal word for "have" in exam problems: "Tom possesses 12 marbles". In stories, people can be "possessed" by spirits. Phrases: in possession of, what possessed you, possessed by.

### Examples

- Tom possesses 12 marbles and gives away 5. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/possess/#x1)
- She possesses great courage. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/possess/#x2)
- The museum possesses a famous painting. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/possess/#x3)
- In the story, the doll was possessed by a ghost. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/possess/#x4)
- What possessed you to climb on the roof? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/possess/#x5)
- Do you possess a library card? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/possess/#x6)
- He possesses a talent for drawing. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/possess/#x7)
- "We'll give you half of all we possess." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/possess/#x8)

### Note

Spelling: double s twice: possess. Noun: possession. In a maths problem "possesses" simply means "has": the number is how many the person has at the start.

## In Jewish tradition

To take over and own, especially the land God promised. It is used again and again of Israel taking the Land of Israel, and also of a swarm of locusts taking over trees.

**Interpretation.** The land was a gift from God to be possessed, and the rabbis said that this brought duties. The conquest and settlement of the land is a key promise of the Torah.

### Examples

- All thy trees and the fruit of thy land shall the locust possess. (Torah DEU.28.42, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/possess/#x1)
- thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land, which the LORD thy GOD giveth thee to possess it. (Torah DEU.19.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/possess/#x2)
- And ye shall drive out the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein; for unto you have I given the land to possess it. (Torah NUM.33.53, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/possess/#x3)
- Arise, O God, judge the earth; for Thou shalt possess all nations. (Writings PSA.82.8, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/possess/#x4)
- Wilt not thou possess that which Chemosh thy god giveth thee to possess? (Prophets JDG.11.24, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/possess/#x5)
- So whomsoever the LORD our God hath dispossessed from before us, them will we possess. (Prophets JDG.11.24, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/possess/#x6)

### Note

Spelling: double s twice: possess. Noun: possession. In a maths problem "possesses" simply means "has": the number is how many the person has at the start.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «possess» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/possess/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«possess» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/possess.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «possess» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/possess/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«possess» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/possess.html) on Mova free.