possessed

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
possess/pəˈzes/

▶verb

• 1 have (something) belonging to one.

  ■ Law have possession of as distinct from ownership.

• 2 have as an ability, quality, or characteristic.

  ■ (possessed of) in possession of.

• 3 (usu. as adj. possessed) (of a demon or spirit, especially an evil one) have complete power over.

• 4 (of an emotion, idea, etc.) dominate the mind of.

• 5 literary have sex with (a woman).

– phrases
what possessed you? used to express surprise at an action regarded as extremely unwise.

– derivatives
possessor noun,
possessory adjective.

– origin ME: from OFr. possesser, from L. possess-, possidere ‘occupy, hold’.