possessively
1
6.3
- adverb
- /pəˈzɛsɪvli/
:
posesivamente
- The sheriff places his hand possessively on her shoulder.
- hand possessively
- arm possessively
- stands possessively
Examples
-
Isn't that right, Yelusa, my sweet?" He reached out and stroked her grimy cheek possessively.
Fiction book (1992) -
Gently, he cradled her, holding her as he might a captured wild creature, protectively and possessively at once.
Fiction book (1991) -
And almost as possessively as her stepmother with her father.
Fiction book (1994) -
When she tried to take it from him, he growled possessively.
Fiction book (1991) -
Sifri held the bat closer to his body, possessively.
Fiction book (1991) -
Her other hand gripped her husband's arm possessively.
Fiction book (1994) -
Helen hung on to my arm possessively, and by the time we reached the station, she had sobered considerably.
Fiction book (1997) -
Gabrielle stands very close, almost possessively close, to Nathan.
Fiction book (2001) -
"Absolutely," Falkland said, placing his hand on the back of Pamela's neck possessively.
Fiction book (2001) -
Taking hold of her arm possessively, he brought her closer to him and wrapped his arms around her.
Synonyms
7
4.1
In a way that shows anger and protectiveness because someone else has something you want
2
3.3
In a way that shows you want what someone else has
1
8.1
In a way that shows only one person or company controls something
In a way that shows you think something is yours
Wanting strongly to have something that belongs to someone else
How Possessive
Surface Forms
Morphology
possessively = possessive (transparent) = possess + ive + ly
Formed by adding the adverbial suffix '-ly' to the adjective 'possessive', yielding a manner meaning directly derived from the adjective.
Etymology
Possessively comes from the simpler word possess, which means 'to own' or 'to hold' and comes from the old Latin possidēre meaning 'to have' or 'to hold'. So, to act possessively is like trying to 'hold on to' or 'own' someone or something.