possess: [15] Latin potis ‘able, having power’ (source of English posse and potent) was combined with the verb sīdere ‘sit down’ (a relative of English sit) to form a new verb possīdere. This meant literally ‘sit down as the person in control’, hence by extension ‘take possession of’ and ultimately ‘have, own’. It passed into English via Old French possesser. => possible, potent, sit
possess (v.)
late 14c., "to hold, occupy, reside in" (without regard to ownership), a back formation from possession and in part from Old French possesser "to have and hold, take, be in possession of" (mid-13c.), from Latin possess-, past participle stem of possidere "to have and hold, possess, be master of, own," from posse "to be able," from potis "able, powerful" (see potent) + esse "to be" (see be). Meaning "to hold as property" is recorded from c. 1500. Demonic sense is recorded from 1530s (implied in possessed). Related: Possessed; possessing.
雙語例句
1. This figure has long been held to possess miraculous power.
這個數字長時間以來都被認為擁有神奇的力量。
來自柯林斯例句
2. Their own lives already seemed to possess the symmetries of narrative art.
他們自己的生活似乎已經擁有敘事藝術的對稱性。
來自柯林斯例句
3. They are crediting science with power it doesn't possess.
他們過分夸大了科學的力量。
來自柯林斯例句
4. They possess a formidable arsenal of rifles, machine guns, landmines and teargas.
他們持有的步槍、機槍、地雷和催淚彈數量驚人。
來自柯林斯例句
5. She pretends to various abilities she doesn't, in fact, possess.