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.
双语例句
1. This figure has long been held to possess miraculous power.
这个数字长时间以来都被认为拥有神奇的力量。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Their own lives already seemed to possess the symmetries of narrative art.
他们自己的生活似乎已经拥有叙事艺术的对称性。
来自柯林斯例句
3. They are crediting science with power it doesn't possess.
他们过分夸大了科学的力量。
来自柯林斯例句
4. They possess a formidable arsenal of rifles, machine guns, landmines and teargas.
他们持有的步枪、机枪、地雷和催泪弹数量惊人。
来自柯林斯例句
5. She pretends to various abilities she doesn't, in fact, possess.
