possess

1. (v) (transitive) To have (something) as, or as if as, an owner; to have, to own. 2. (v) (transitive) Of an idea, thought, etc.: to dominate (someone's mind); to strongly influence. 3. (v) (transitive) Of a supernatural entity, especially one regarded as evil: to take control of (an animal or person's body or mind). 4. (v) (transitive) To dominate (a person) sexually; to have sexual intercourse with (a person). 5. (v) (transitive) (law) To have control or possession of, but not to own (a chattel or an interest in land). 6. (v) (transitive) (also reflexive, chiefly literary and poetic) Of a person: to control or dominate (oneself or someone, or one's own or someone's heart, mind, etc.). 7. (v) (intransitive) To dominate sexually; to have sexual intercourse with. 8. (v) (intransitive) To inhabit or occupy a place. 9. (v) (transitive) (archaic) To cause an idea, thought, etc., to strongly affect or influence (someone); to inspire, to preoccupy. 10. (v) (transitive) (archaic) To occupy the attention or time of (someone). 11. (v) (transitive) (archaic) (also literary) To obtain or seize (something); to gain, to win. 12. (v) (transitive) (archaic) (also reflexive) Chiefly followed by of or with: to vest ownership of something in (oneself or someone); to bestow upon, to endow. 13. (v) (transitive) (obsolete) To give (someone) information or knowledge; to acquaint, to inform. 14. (v) (transitive) (obsolete) To have the ability to use, or knowledge of (a language, a skill, etc.) 15. (v) (transitive) (obsolete) To inhabit or occupy (a place). 16. (v) (transitive) (obsolete) Chiefly followed by that: to convince or persuade (someone).