possuir

Portuguese[edit]

From Latin possidēre, from potis (“able”) + sedeō (“sit”).

(Brazil) IPA^(key): /po.suˈi(ʁ)/ [po.sʊˈi(h)], (faster pronunciation) /poˈswi(ʁ)/ [poˈswi(h)]
- (São Paulo) IPA^(key): /po.suˈi(ɾ)/ [po.sʊˈi(ɾ)], (faster pronunciation) /poˈswi(ɾ)/
- (Rio de Janeiro) IPA^(key): /po.suˈi(ʁ)/ [po.sʊˈi(χ)], (faster pronunciation) /poˈswi(ʁ)/ [poˈswi(χ)]
- (Southern Brazil) IPA^(key): /po.suˈi(ɻ)/ [po.sʊˈi(ɻ)], (faster pronunciation) /poˈswi(ɻ)/

possuir (first-person singular present possuo, first-person singular preterite possuí, past participle possuído)

to possess; to have; to own
Possuo dois automóveis.
(I) have two automobiles.
to have as a quality or characteristic
Antonym: carecer de

Esta frase possui cinco palavras.
This phrase has five words.
to control; to hold (exercise influence over)
O cristianismo possuia a Europa durante a Idade Média.
Christianity controlled Europe during the Middle Ages.
(spiritualism) to possess (to take control of someone’s body or mind in a supernatural manner)
Antonym: exorcisar

Graças ao exorcismo, João livrou-se do demônio que o havia possuído.
Thanks to the exorcism, John got rid of the demon who had possessed him.
to overwhelm (to overpower emotionally)
O medo nos possuiu.
Fear overwhelmed us.
(proscribed) to have (to be related to)
Eu possuo dois filhos.
I have two children

Conjugation of possuir (irregular) (See Appendix:Portuguese verbs)

Related terms