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possession

possession

33 8.2
Being controlled by a spirit or demon that changes a person's behavior
  • noun
  • /pəˈzɛʃən/
  • Literature
: posesión
  • It's not every day that you see a demonic possession on live television.
  • spirit possession
  • possession and exorcism
  • possession trance

It is not a possession that we would volunteer for.

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Examples

  • The boy is showing all the classical signs of possession, Father Amorth.

  • And so of course we have the idea of possession where you know, a spirit will try to possess a living body.

  • Yes, Possession is one term for a basic human experience reported by a great number of people all around the world.

  • And now this is a group that's used to seeing spirit possession take place as part of the religion.

  • Assessing the role of spirit possession in Swahili society is a complex task.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Umoya, as a spiritual power, usually took possession of persons during worship services.

    Academic text (1994)
  • The preponderance of women in possession religions has been a primary focus for many scholars and observers.

    Academic text (1995)
  • I guess you're somewhat of an expert in demonic possession, is that correct?

  • Witches and sorcerers often take possession of their intended prey by reciting ancient incantations.

  • The girl felt an overwhelming sense of possession when the spirit entered her body during the ritual.

Synonyms

under a spell
vspossession
11 6.7

Very fascinated and unable to control your actions or feelings

is literal or intense control by strong emotion or a supernatural force
subjection
vspossession
3 7.9

The state of being under the control of another person or group, often by force

is inner or supernatural lack of control rather than social or legal domination

Antonyms

2 1.1

Not having to do something a rule requires

Compounds

A thing you can touch that belongs to someone

6 8.2

Having or controlling something the law forbids that can lead to criminal charges

5 5.3

Having banned things like drugs or guns when the law does not allow it

A calm, confident control of your feelings and actions in difficult situations

A physical thing you own like money or a house, not a feeling

1 8.2

Direct physical control of a thing, for example holding it

Power and intent to control an item you do not physically hold

A thing you own that you can touch

How Controlled

possession
  • Literature
33 8.2
influence
783 2.3

Surface Forms

possession singular
possessions plural

Morphology

possession = possess (opaque) = possess + ion

Although morphologically built from 'possess' + '-ion', the sense 'state of being controlled by a spirit or strong emotion' is not predictable from the common sense 'to own' and represents a specialized/figurative meaning.

Etymology

Possession comes from the Latin possidere, 'to hold', and so when people talk about spirit possession they mean a spirit seems to 'hold' or control a person. This is why the same word is used for being owned by an object, idea, or spirit.