possuir

Portuguese

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

(Brazil) IPA^(key): /poˈsujʁ/ [poˈsuɪ̯h]
- (São Paulo) IPA^(key): /poˈsujɾ/ [poˈsuɪ̯ɾ]
- (Rio de Janeiro) IPA^(key): /poˈsujʁ/ [poˈsuɪ̯χ]
- (Southern Brazil) IPA^(key): /poˈsujɻ/ [poˈsuɪ̯ɻ]

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)