Search the Dictionary

In possibility; possible, although not yet in existence or come to pass; -- contradistinguished from in esse.

To gain or obtain possession of; to acquire. [Obs. with a material object.] Chaucer.

sual for the master to sign two, three, or four copies of the bill; one of which he keeps in possession, one is kept by the shipper, and one is sent to the consignee of the goods. -- Bill of mortality, an official statement of the number of deaths in a place or district within a given time; also, a district required t…

To attain possession. [Obs.] Have is have, however men do catch. Shak.

s for a tort, which can not be enforced against a reluctant party without suit. -- Chose in possession, a thing in possession, as distinguished from a thing in action. -- Chose local, a thing annexed to a place, as a mill. -- Chose transitory, a thing which is movable. Cowell. Blount.

A right to claim or demand something; a title to any debt, privilege, or other thing in possession of another; also, a title to anything which another should give or concede to, or confer on, the claimant. "A bar to all claims upon land." Hallam.

To struggle or exert one's self to obtain or retain possession of, or to defend. You sit above, and see vain men below Contend for what you only can bestow. Dryden.

Forsaken; not having in possession (something necessary, or desirable); deficient; lacking; devoid; -- often followed by of. In thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute. Ps. cxli. 8. Totally destitute of all shadow of influence. Burke.

, one that lies against him who wrongfully detains goods or chattels delivered to him, or in possession, to recover the thing itself, or its value and damages, from the detainer. It is now in a great measure superseded by other remedies.

Destitute; not in possession; -- with of; as, devoid of sense; devoid of pity or of pride.

The putting out of possession, wrongfully or otherwise, of one who is in possession of a freehold, no matter in what title; -- called also ouster.

purpose of obtaining possession of land from one who has unlawfully entered and continues in possession. Bouvier.

A writ, now abolished, to recover escheats from the person in possession. Blackstone.

Holding or held formerly in possession. [Obs.]

To procure; to obtain; to gain possession of; to acquire; to earn; to obtain as a price or reward; to come by; to win, by almost any means; as, to get favor by kindness; to get wealth by industry and economy; to get favor by kindness; to get wealth by industry and economy; to get land by purchase, etc.…

To hold in possession or control; to own; as, he has a farm.

To retain in one's keeping; to maintain possession of, or authority over; not to give up or relinquish; to keep; to defend. We mean to hold what anciently we claim Of deity or empire. Milton.

One who impropriates; specifically, a layman in possession of church property.

In being; actually existing; -- distinguished from in posse, or in potentia, which denote that a thing is not, but may be.

To dwell in; to abide within; to remain in possession. The Holy Ghost became a dove, not as a symbol, but as a constantly indwelt form. Milman.