1.possess的基本意思是“占有,拥有”,指人或物具有某种品质、性质、能力或特征。其后可接有形的东西,也可接特点、能力、气质等抽象名词作宾语,总之,表示拥有好的东西。还可引申表示“受到某种感情支配”, possess是及物动词,接名词或代词作宾语,也可接以动词不定式充当补足语的复合宾语。
2.possess作“占有”解,这个动词可以搭配反身代词。
3.by possessed by〔with〕的意思是“(妖魔、情欲等)迷住,缠住”,常用于被动结构,强调施动者时用by,若不太强调被动的含义还可换用介词with。

possess of(v.+prep.)
▲possess oneself/sb of sth
1.持有,为…之主人 become the owner of
〔说明〕 possess of常不用于进行体。
The plantation owner has possessed himself of a vast piece of land.这个种植园主把大片土地占为己有。
They has possessed themselves of all the necessary material.他们已取得了所有必要的材料。
I wonder how he could manage to possess himself of that secret.真不知道他是怎样把那个秘密弄到手的。
◇ 用于be ～ed结构
He is possessed of many good qualities.他具有很多优良品质。
She is possessed of health and wealth.她拥有健康和财富。
2.告诉 tell (sb) about (sth)
He possessed me of the facts.他将事实告诉了我。
The court has possessed him of the fact of the case.法院已将案情告诉了他。

用作及物动词
▲S+～+n./pron.
They possessed nothing.他们一无所有。
The country possesses rich mineral deposits.这个国家拥有丰富的矿藏。
Deferred payments allow customers to possess goods before they can be said to own them fully.分期付款可使顾客预先获取货物。
He never possessed much money, but he always possessed good health.他自始至终都不富有,但他常有健康的身体。
She possesses a beautiful singing voice.她有美妙动听的歌喉。
We should possess ourselves in face of fear.我们在危险时要保持镇静。
He possessed his soul in patience.他耐心等待。
Fear possessed him and prevented him from moving.恐怖支配着他,并使他不能移动。
One main idea possessed her.一个主要的想法支配着她。
◇ 用于be ～ed结构
She was possessed by the desire to be rich.她被发财的欲望支配。
That guy was possessed by a lust for gain.那家伙利欲熏心。
She is possessed with rage.她在盛怒之中。
用作宾补动词
▲S+～+n./pron.+to-v
What on earth possessed you to come here?究竟是什么使你来这儿的?
The desire to be rich possessed him to act so.发财的欲望使他作出如此事来。

possess, own
参见own条。

1.下面两句意思相同:
她非常自信。
She is possessed of great self-confidence.
She possesses great self-confidence.
2.possess在作“拥有土地、财产等”解时,不可用于被动结构,但作“受到某种感情支配”解时,可用于被动结构。
3.possess不能用于进行体。例如:
他有两辆车。
误:He is possessing two cars.
正:He possesses two cars.