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.<