POSSESSION Definition & Meaning

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possession

[puh-zesh-uhn]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the act or fact of possessing.
Synonyms: ,
the state of being possessed.
ownership.
Law.��actual holding or occupancy, either with or without rights of ownership.
a thing possessed.
He packed all his possessions into one trunk.
possessions, property or wealth.
a territorial dominion of a state.
Sports.��
1. physical control of the ball or puck by a player or team.
  He didn't have full possession when he was tackled.
2. the right of a team to put the ball into play.
  They had possession after the other team sank a free throw.
control over oneself, one's mind, etc.
domination, actuation, or obsession by a feeling, idea, etc.
the feeling or idea itself.

possession

/ ��əˈ��ɛʃə�� /

noun

the act of possessing or state of being possessed
in possession of the crown
anything that is owned or possessed
(plural) wealth or property
the state of being controlled or dominated by or as if by evil spirits
the physical control or occupancy of land, property, etc, whether or not accompanied by ownership
to take possession of a house
a territory subject to a foreign state or to a sovereign prince
colonial possessions
sport control of the ball, puck, etc, as exercised by a player or team
he lost possession in his own half

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

nonpossession noun

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of possession¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Latin ��ǲ��ō��-, stem of ��ǲ��ō “occupancy, act of occupying,” from possess(us) “occupied” (past participle of ��ǲ��ŧ�� “to have in one's control, occupy,” from pos-, combining form of pot(is) “able” + -��ŧ��, combining form of ��ŧ�� “to sit”) + -��ō -ion; host ¹, sit ¹

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Synonym Study

See custody.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Auckland were perhaps fortunate not to lose by a heavier margin as Bayern peppered their goal with 31 attempts – including 17 on target – while enjoying 72% of possession.

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He said the vast majority of their possessions had been lost, but they were unsure of the scale of the damage.

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He had no possessions that might offer clues: no phone, no wallet, no tickets or receipts crumpled in his pockets.

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And the team regained sole possession of first place in the division.

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Despite their underdog status, Leicester started more than up for the fight, owning possession in the opening minutes, winning two scrums and the first penalty, allowing Handre Pollard to kick to the corner.

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Related 51�Թ�s

custody��

possessed by possession is nine points of the law

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