nonpossessible

Nonpossessible is an English adjective meaning not capable of being possessed. It is formed from non- and possessible; possessible derives from Latin possidere. The term is rare in everyday language and is primarily encountered in scholarly or legal discussions, where it may be used to distinguish items or rights that cannot be owned or held by a person or entity from those that can be possessed.

In property law, the related concept is that of possessible versus nonpossessible property, though the more common term in contemporary usage is nonpossessory to describe rights that do not involve possession, such as easements. When used, nonpossessible tends to describe immaterial or public-domain things that cannot be owned in a way that excludes others.

In practice, most modern writers prefer phrases such as nonpossessory interests, inalienable rights, or immovable property classifications rather than nonpossessible. The term may appear in historical, philosophical, or doctrinal texts discussing the limits of possession, ownership, and sovereignty.

See also: nonpossessory, possession, ownership, inalienable, easement, servitude.