poseer

to possess

verb poh-seh-EHR Less Common

Origin: From Latin possidere ('to possess, to occupy').

Also means

to own

Usage Note

Poseer is a formal or literary verb for 'to own or possess'; in everyday speech tener is far more common for simple ownership. Note the irregular gerund poseyendo and past participle poseído (both with y to avoid three consecutive vowels). Poseer can also mean 'to be overcome by' in emotional contexts: lo poseía el pánico = 'panic gripped him'.

Examples

"La familia posee varias propiedades en el sur."

Natural Translation

The family owns several properties in the south.

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