Middle English Dictionary Entry
possessǒur n.
Entry Info
| Forms | possessǒur n. |
| Etymology | AF; cp. L & OF possessor. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) One who holds or owns something; a proprietor, an owner; occupier; also fig.; persoune ~, a person who holds property; (b) a clergyman who holds the living of a church.
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.2119 : Þei were of manhood fully possessours, And of her fomen finally victours.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Deeds 4.34 : How manye euere weren possessouris [L possessores] of feeldis, ether of housis, thei seelden.
- (1427) RParl.4.318b : Every persone withynne ye saide Royaume, beynge seysed of Londes and Tenementz..which..ye saide persone possessour, or persones possessours, holdeth immediatly be a hool Knyghtes Fee paie to oure said soverain Lord vi s. viii d.
- (1429) RParl.4.359b : No oyer shippman yat is bothe Possessour and Maister of any Shippe or Vessell ne take ne receyve withynne Englonde..no manere..Merchandises of ye Staple.
- (1442) Doc.in Sur.Soc.8518 : Ye same day..Alice Semer, neuly awner & possessor of said tenement of John of Bolton, swore & opinly affermed.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)259 : Y schulde þerbi make þee to be lord and possessour of eny worldly goodis.
- (1447-8) Shillingford115 : None of the Bysshoppes of Excetre..paied never rente nother didde eny servicys [to] the..possessours of the seide Cite.
- a1450(1412) Hoccl.RP (Hrl 4866)1761 : Who is any aduoutoure, þe Kyngdome faille schal of endles lyfe; Of þat ne shal he be no possessoure.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)161 : Eke that..alle monasteriis schuld be restored to the elde possessuris.
- (1477) RParl.6.187a : This Acte nor noon other..extende..to any of the Rightes..by the Kyng, or by any of his Progenitours, Predecessours, or Possessours of the Roiall Estate and Corone of Englond..graunted.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)147/7 : Vertue is not oonly a good, but it is also well a goodnesse, makynge good necessarly his possessoure.
- a1525(?1473) Cov.Leet Bk.386 : Diuerse peynes..haue byn enyoyned the possessours of the seid mese to haue taken hit doune.
b
- a1500(a1452) Let.Marg.Anjou in Camd.86 (Add 46846)130 : The paroch chirch of Saint Mildredes in Breedstrete..is like to voide withinne shorte tyme by decesse of hym that is now possessor of the same.