posseggere

Posseggere is an Italian verb meaning to possess, own, or have in one’s possession. It is a transitive verb used to indicate ownership or control of tangible objects, property, rights, or more abstract things such as knowledge or skill. The nuance is that the subject holds something in a stable or legally recognized sense, rather than merely having access to it.

Etymology and scholarly note: the word derives from the Latin possidēre, a form related to possession and holding. In Italian, posseggere is the historically correct variant that appears in formal and literary contexts, although possedere is more common in everyday speech.

Uso e registro: posseggere is generally found in formal, legal, philosophical, or literary texts. In ordinary conversation, speakers typically use possedere or avere to express possession. Posseggere can convey a stronger sense of rightful ownership or durable control, and it often appears in discussions of property rights, inheritance, or substantial possession.

Form and conjugation: posseggere is a regular verb of the second conjugation (-ere). For exact verb forms across tenses and moods, consult a standard Italian conjugation reference, as the endings follow the patterns of -ere verbs with the historical peculiarity of the stem posseg- in some forms.

Relational nouns and related terms: the noun possesso denotes possession or ownership; possessore or possedente can refer to the owner or possessor. Related phrases commonly discuss possession of property, rights, or abstract qualities.

See also: possesso, possedere, possessore.