Added 10 October 2026
prepossess
/ˌpɹiːpəˈzɛs/ verb
Latin root: prepossessus Wiktionary
verb Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about prepossess at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- Possess beforehand.
-
Cause to be preoccupied.
The idea of his failure prepossesses him
-
Make a positive impression (on someone) beforehand.
A prepossessing appearance
Origin
From pre- (prefix meaning ‘before, earlier in time’) + possess. Cognates * Late Latin prepossessus (“seized beforehand”)
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)