Middle English Dictionary Entry
possessen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | possessen v. |
| Etymology | OF possesser |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) To have, hold, or own (sth.); obtain possession of (sth.); (b) to have (a faculty, quality, eternal life); (c) to occupy (territory), inhabit; (d) ben possessed of, to have, hold, or own (sth.); ~ in, put (sb.) in possession of (sth.).
Associated quotations
a
- (1394) Doc.in Collect.Topogr.3256 : Tho hadde we possessid of the forsaid londys..a Reles by the forsaid Sir Guy..of al his riht to the same londys.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)508 : The expense of alle hise ricchesis now of him possessid and had.
- c1450 De CMulieribus (Add 10304)418 : Townys and castellys all, she dydd possess.
- c1450 Spec.Chr.(2) (Hrl 6580)184/23 : It es spedful to the chirche to haue rychesse and facultes to be possessed.
- c1460 Oseney Reg.42/25 : We will..þat now þe saide church and chanons..all the fornamed thynges..haue and possesse.
- c1475(c1445) Pecock Donet (Bod 916)70/8 : He tretiþ goddis good to bi it aȝens goddis licence..bi cause he may not possesse it.
- a1500 Chartier Quad.(2) (Rwl A.338)170/12 : The policie of vs Frenschmen may be likenyd to the feble householder which sparpelith and wastith his possessid [CQ(1): present; F presente] substaunce afore a newe prouision had.
b
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)3.pr.10.54 : Somthing possessyng in itself parfyt good schulde be more worthy than God.
- c1450 Spec.Chr.(2) (Hrl 6580)42/8 : Lene to god..and thou schalt possesse lyf euer-endurynge.
- c1450 Treat.Perf.(Add 37790)257/34 : So we schalle ascende than frome vertewe to verteue..and so fynally possesse trewe consyance.
c
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.105 : This londe of Iuda was promisede to oure faderes, but not utterly possessedde.
d
- (1438) Proc.Privy C.5.103 : Johan Scurlag..was by oure lettres patentz presentid to the said tresourie and of þe same..longe time pesibly possessed.
- (1449-53) Doc.Trade in BRS 793 : John Wyche of Brystowe, merchaunt..was possessed of a ship called the Mary of Bristowe.
- (a1450) Paston2.522 : He seyd for to entre in the maner of Oxened, the which his fader whas possessid of.
- (1453) Let.Bk.Lond.K (Gldh LetBk K)356 : The said Maire and Cominalte arne possessed and seased of a Conduyt hede.
- a1500 Sithe god hathe chose (Lamb 306)p.291 : Edwardeus Dai gracia..God hathe chose the to be his knyt And posseside the in thi right.