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Added 9 October 2026

possessive

/pəˈzɛs.ɪv/ noun

Latin root: possessivus Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about possessive at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

The case expressing ownership.

adjective

Serving to express or indicate possession.
possessive pronouns
Desirous of owning.
small children are so possessive they will not let others play with their toys
Having or showing a desire to control or dominate.
a possessive parent

Origin

From Middle French possessif, from Latin possessivus (“of or pertaining to possession”), from possessiō (“possessing”), from possidēre (“to possess”). By surface analysis, possess + -ive.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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