possīdo, sēdi, sessum, 3, v. a. [causat. of possideo, q. v.].
I Lit., to take possession of , to possess one's self of (class.; cf.: habeo, occupo, potior): bona alicujus sine testamento, Cic. de Or. 2, 70, 283: regnum, Auct. B. Alex. 34.—Of inanim. subjects (poet. and in post-class. prose): aër omne possidat inane, Lucr. 1, 386: circumfluus humor Ultima possedit, took possession of , Ov. M. 1, 31: ignis cuncta possedit, Just. 2, 1, 14.—
II Trop., to take possession of , possess itself of , to occupy (class.): brevi tempore totum hominem, totamque ejus praeturam possederat, Cic. Verr. 2, 3, 68, § 158.<