What would possess seemingly sane people to treat concrete walls like trampolines? Alice Park, Time, 16 Apr. 2007People who experience specific colors when looking at particular letters, such as seeing sky blue when shown an R, possess an unusual abundance of connections in brain areas involved in word and color perception, a new brain-imaging investigation finds. Bruce Bower, Science News, 26 May 2007What does matter is that we come to recognize that playfulness, as a philosophical stance, can be very serious, indeed; and, moreover, that it possesses an unfailing capacity to arouse ridicule and hostility in those among us who crave certainty, reverence, and restraint. Tom Robbins, Harper's, September 2004 nations that possess nuclear weapons The defendant was charged with possessing cocaine. The ruby was once possessed by an ancient queen. He dreams of someday possessing great wealth. He possesses a keen wit. The drug possesses the potential to suppress tumors. Do dolphins possess the ability to use language? See More
Recent Examples on the WebOne former official said the most highly classified information often ended up in the hands of personnel who didn’t appear to have a need to possess it or weren’t authorized to read it.Anchorage Daily News, 12 Aug. 2022 One former official said the most highly classified information often ended up in the hands of personnel who didn’t appear to have a need to possess it or weren’t authorized to read it. Josh Dawsey, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Aug. 2022 The other section requires people who had assault weapons before the law took effect on July 1 to get a permit to continue to possess them but largely only on their own property. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 27 July 2022 Felons here also lose the right to possess a firearm, hold public office, serve on a jury or as a notary. Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, 21 May 2022 Kelly did not possess a valid pistol permit, according to police. Mike Mavredakis, Hartford Courant, 24 Aug. 2022 All-Big Ten, but didn’t possess a lot of elusiveness. Tyler Tachman, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Aug. 2022 Newer entrants to the workforce and younger employees may possess—or at least have working knowledge of—many of the skills employers seek today. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 11 Aug. 2022 The story, however -- which screenwriter Zak Olkewicz adapted from Japanese novel -- doesn't possess enough fuel to consistently sustain that tone. Brian Lowry, CNN, 2 Aug. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Middle French possesser to have possession of, take possession of, from Latin possessus, past participle of possidēre, from potis able, having the power + sedēre to sit — more at potent, sit