English Explanatory Dictionary

prepossess

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. Chiefly followed by by or with: to preoccupy (someone) in an emotional or mental way, so as to preclude other things.
  2. To cause (someone) to have a previous inclination against, for, or to something; to bias or prejudice; specifically, to induce in (someone) a favourable opinion beforehand, or at the outset.
  3. To cause (someone) to think a certain way.
  4. To occupy or possess (something) beforehand.
  5. Chiefly followed by of or with: to cause (oneself) to obtain possession of something beforehand, or ahead of someone else.

Pronunciation

/ˌpɹiːpəˈzɛs/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-prepossess.wav /ˌpɹipəˈzɛs/

Word forms

prepossess prepossesses prepossessing prepossessed

Etymology

From pre- (prefix meaning ‘before, earlier in time’) + possess. Cognates * Late Latin prepossessus (“seized beforehand”)

Derived words

prepossessed prepossessedly prepossessedness prepossessing prepossessingly prepossessingness prepossession prepossessor unprepossessing unprepossessingly unprepossessingness
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